Influence of Burnt Sawdust Ash from Timber Species on the Chemical Strength Properties of Laterite-interlocking Blocks

Abstract

In the construction industry in Ghana and many other developing countries, blocks are predominantly used for the construction of walls in housing units. Their widespread application has led to the astronomical costs of producing the blocks units with significant environmental challenges as a results of materials like cement, fine aggregates and coarse aggregates. Therefore, an increasing quest globally to find low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative materials to replace cement with burnt sawdust ash (BSDA) from timber species in the manufacturing of compressed laterite interlocking blocks. The main aim of the study was to partially replace ordinary Portland cement (oPc) with burnt sawdust ash (BSDA) from timber species (Wawa-Triplochiton scleroxylon, Mansonia-Altissima, Teak-Tectona grandis, Odum-Milicia excels, Ceiba-Pentandra, Essah-Celtis mildbraedii and Mahogany-Swietenia macrophylla) in making interlocking laterite blocks by replacing 0-30 wt % sawdust ash. Mix proportion was 1:6 (cement + BSDA: laterite) with a 0.50 water-to-cement ratio. Two (2) tests were targeted for the research: Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) strength. It was observed that, the combined SiO2, Fe2O3 and Al2O3 content satisfied the minimum requirement and the SiO2 (29.5537.38%), Al2O3 (10.95-35%) contents were significantly great. it can be concluded that BSDA replacement interlocking laterite blocks have the potential of supporting the affordable housing concept in Ghana.