Feasibility study of cement composites with para wood particle wastes: strength and durability

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential use of Para wood particle wastes and
cement for producing the cement composite as a new environmental friendly construction material.
Strength and durability of cement composites mixed with different mix proportions of Para wood
particles (PWP) were evaluated and compared with those of control samples (ordinary Portland
cement). To study property degradation, the cement composite test samples were determined under
different aging conditions. Three different conditioning schemes including: 1) seawater immersion at
room temperature, 2) alkaline solution immersion at room temperature and 3) elevated temperatures
were considered in this study. The experimental results show that the average compressive strength
and elastic modulus of the cement composites mixed with PWP decreased with the increasing of
PWP content. In addition, the average compressive strength of cement composites mixed with PWP
aged in alkaline and salt solutions had a similar trend as cement composites with mixed PWP
(normal curing). For temperature effect, the average compressive strength significantly dropped
between 100°C and 150°C. The experimental results present a potential use of Para wood particle
waste in cement composites. Productions manufactured from these materials with the optimum
content (2% to 10%) of MPWP are acceptable for non- and structural (with low load carrying
capacity) members.