Evaluation of the properties of wood sawdust-cement perforated blocks

In order to study the optimum manufacturing conditions of wood sawdust-cement perforated blocks, sawdust of headrige saw was mixed with portland cement type II, and then perforated blocks were molded from this mixture. The mixture ratios of sawdust to cement were selected as 28:72, 35:65 and 42:58, respectively. CaCl2 (Calcium chloride) or MgCl2 (Magnesium chloride) at two levels (3%,5% based on the weight of the cement) were used as additives. The results of physical (thickness swelling after 2 and 24 hours soaking in water) and mechanical (compressive strength) properties of the blocks revealed that varying the sawdust to cement ratio imparted differences in physical and mechanical properties of the blocks. The blocks with sawdust to cement ratio of 42:58 showed the highest compressive strength and blocks with sawdust to cement ratio of 28:72 showed the lowest thickness swelling. It was observed that the type of additive did not impose any significant effect on physical and mechanical properties of blocks. Whereas the effect of MgCl2 level on the properties was significant.