QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

(AAPP 4)

DON BOSCO TECHNICAL COLLEGE – CEBU

Sawdust Brick: A Quantitative Study on Sawdust Substitute for Concrete Brick

Production

GRADE: 12 SECTION: KLINIK

Submitted by:

Josh Rostin A. Abasolo

Christian Andre A. Flores

Kevin Dave E. Ogabang

 Abstract

Recycling Waste Materials is a proven method for a sustainable future. This

method will be the norm while the future government will strictly enforce the usage of

recycling materials. The usage of recycling materials has a lot of potential in the future

economy and still, the maximum potential has not been unlocked yet. This study will be

conducted using the quantitative research design, comparative research, and descriptive

research because the researchers aim to produce the Sawdust substituted Concrete Brick

with different variations of material ratios and compare their strengths. The products will

be manufactured in KDO Compound, Lower Azucena, Barili, Cebu, Philippines, in

which the equipment needed is given. The researchers compared four groups between

each group with five subjects. The first group sample tests the Sawdust Concrete Brick’s

physical quantities with different material ratios to determine the best physical condition

of the product. The study's instruments are as follows: concrete pressure, temperature,

and brittleness tests will be conducted to measure the deformation behavior of sawdust

concrete namely the Pressure Test, Temperature Test, and Water Absorption Test. The

researchers will be devising a plan for the production process and the methods for

comparing the products. The products are tested to their limitations and had varying

sawdust material ratios, primarily 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% for the research. The

Sawdust Concrete Bricks will be made using a standard brick manufacturing process.

This study will be using a T-test, a type of inferential statistical method, to process the

data. The hypothesis requires different kinds of variables between the groups and to

determine the statistical significance. The T-Test is handy for the experiment for a variety

of reasons.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Title Page ............................................................................................................................ i

Abstract .............................................................................................................................. ii

Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. iii

Chapter I. Introduction

A. Background of the Study .................................................................................. 1

B. Statement of the Problem .................................................................................. 2

C. Significance of the Study .................................................................................. 2

D. Scope and Limitations ....................................................................................... 4

E. Definition of Terms ........................................................................................... 5

Chapter II. Review of Related Literature ........................................................................... 6

A. Review of Related Literature ............................................................................ 6

B. Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................... 9

C. Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................10

Chapter III. Methodology

A. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 11

B. Research Design ...............................................................................................11

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 C. Research Setting ...............................................................................................11

D. Research Sample ............................................................................................. 12

E. Research Instrument ........................................................................................ 12

F. Research Procedure ......................................................................................... 13

G. Data Analysis .................................................................................................. 16

References

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The Wood-Crete or sawdust concrete is a lightweight, environmentally friendly,

and simple to use construction material, but there are various types of sawdust or wood

that have been turned into sawdust that are not resistant to any threats to the material, are

not strong enough to hold into the structural building, and decay easily. The rising cost of

materials for concrete formation is the main problem to the development of some

infrastructure and shelter in developing regions (Quarchire,2020, p.1). Engineers and

other users need engineering ideas on using waste such as sawdust and locally available

resources to help meet needs and wants, lower building costs, and improve efficiency for

sustainable development. The idea of the study benefits the environment considering it

reduces the use of earth resources such as earth minerals, reduction of toxic chemicals to

the environment, and the use of recycled materials into new products.

Lightweight construction materials are the current trend in building some

infrastructures and shelters because of the efficient, robust, and threat resistant control

and longevity of sawdust concrete in any controlled environment. A good brick must be

durable that is still intact when falling, burnt, cracked and it is compatible with the

compressive and its flexural strength. In addition to being hard and robust, good bricks

should be insulated against all temperatures, noise and water absorption should not

exceed 20% of the brick’s dry weight. Sawdust is another material that can be used in
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replacement of coarse aggregate to make a lighter concrete. Using sawdust as a

replacement for coarse aggregate promotes a green and sustainable environment.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to evaluate the quality of the cement brick using sawdust as

aggregates. The products will be compared by their strength, longevity, and brittleness.

Specifically, the researchers fought to answer these questions.

1. What could be the correct and acceptable mixture ratio of cement and sawdust?

2. Does sawdust pose an advantage as a construction material?

3. Can the product substitute traditional concrete bricks?

Significance of the Study

The researchers may have learned that Wood-Crete or sawdust concrete is a

lightweight, environmentally friendly, and simple to use construction material. The

significance of this research is to find out the capability of the sawdust as a replacement

for coarse aggregate in the formation of the concrete block or brick as a construction

material and to reduce the problem of solid waste disposal that harms the environment by

mixing sawdust in concrete. Thus, this topic is beneficial to the following:

The Community: The result of this study will benefit the entire community of the

Central Visayas and possibly benefit the neighboring islands of the country by using

Sawdust as a replacement for coarse aggregate in forming concrete blocks or bricks.

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Unemployed Workforce. This study can give them new job opportunities in a

City or Municipality. This also gives them an alternative source of income, also a reliable

source of income. Lastly, this can give them new ideas for their future business either

small scale or large-scale business.

Concrete Brick Industries in the Visayas: The result of this study can be a

reference for the concrete industries in the Visayas to manufacture sawdust concrete and

perhaps expand the topic further to benefit the country.

Architect/ Engineers. This study can give them new opportunities for sustainable

development. Also, this study can reduce their funding for a building project and can

reduce their workforce because of products' lightness.

Future Researchers: Some future researchers might find this study interesting

and can be a useful reference for future research related to the use of sawdust concrete

and its capability as a construction material. It also motivates future researchers to recycle

other waste materials and utilize them in new composite materials, as well as making the

general public more specific by widening their views in terms of recycling and

conservation.
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Scope and Delimitation

The coverage of this study is to determine the compressive and tensile strength,

threat resistance control, flexural, and longevity of sawdust concrete in any controlled

environment. This study includes the absolute value of elements and for extensive

purposes focusing on the value of elements only. Lastly, the study also covers the

production of sawdust concrete and tests it on small structures to see how effective it is.

This research covered the entire second semester of the 2021-2022 academic year.

Although some limitations should be noted. The objective of this research is only

to create and identify the advantages of using sawdust as a replacement for coarse

aggregate in concrete productions so that it can benefit the community and society. The

study does not include any dangerous tree such as the poison oak tree as identified by its

name and by its properties and appearances. Any purpose not included in the

aforementioned objectives is not to be a part of the study. Lastly, the study will be carried

out on a limited budget and within a set time frame.

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Definition of Terms

For this study, each of the following terms enumerated was given an operational

definition.

Absolute - not qualified or diminished in any way; complete.

Aggregate - refers to a material or structure formed from a loosely compacted

mass of fragments or particles.

Infrastructure - refers to the key physical and organizational structures and

amenities, such as buildings, roads, and power sources, which are required for society or

business to function.

Lightweight - of thin material or build and weighing less than average.

Robust - refers to strong and healthy; vigorous.

Sawdust Concrete - refers to a mixture of sawdust from sawmill and concrete.

Sustainable Development - is the concept that human civilizations should

survive and meet their needs without harming future generations' ability to meet their

own.
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CHAPTER 2

Review of Related Literature

This chapter provides a review of literature on the use of sawdust, how much

sawdust it needs to make solid concrete, and the capability of the product as an

improvement by other researchers.

Sawdust is composed of small chipping of wood and a waste product of

woodworking activities such as sawing, grinding, and other activities. Sawdust is a waste

product that has a lot of uses such as agriculture that places sawdust onto the plant to

prevent other unnecessary plants from growing beside it and reusing it to make other

products like particleboards and other furniture. Sawdust concrete is a mixture of sawdust

and concrete. According to Abdul Awal, Mariyana, and Hossain (2016) Although

sawdust consists largely of cellulose, it also contains soluble sugar, acids, resins, oils and

waxes, and other organic substances which have an inhibiting effect on the setting and

hardening of the cement.

Despite setting and hardening problems, most of the softwood sawdust is rendered

compatible with the cement if a mixture of lime or cement is used as the binder (p.1).

Sawdust concrete is a lightweight, environmentally friendly, and simple to use

construction material. However, there is a disadvantage, according to Neubauer (1940)

Sawdust Concrete of ordinary proportions will absorb water to a point of saturation

where the weight absorbed may be as much as 70% of the dry weight sample (p.1).
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According to Awal, Memon's siblings, Mohd. Sam, Ackekzai (2017) Sawdust

concrete must be examined before using it for construction because it has a serious

limitation that is low compressive strength. Despite these limitations, sawdust concrete is

a quality of reducing the weight of overall structure which is transmitted on the base

(Foundation) of structure.

Concrete is a mixture of fine and coarse aggregates bound together with a cement

paste or liquid cement that solidifies over time. Concrete is one of the building materials

that is mostly used along with wood in construction. Concrete is a very strong material

that can place a high amount of load. According to Maciejewski and Valencia (2020), the

use of concrete can be dated back to ancient times. Romans mastered the use of hydraulic

lime as a binding agent, called “opus caementicium”. After the fall of the Roman Empire,

the use of concrete faded, until it was resurrected in the early 19th century. Instead of

using hydraulic lime, Portland cement, further development of the ancient version, was

invented and led to a big rise in the popularity of concrete in building industries.

According to Murali (2006) Concrete is used more than any other man-made

material in the world. As of 2006, about 7.5 cubic kilometers of concrete are made each

year—more than one cubic meter for every person on Earth. Concrete powers a US $35-

billion industry that employs more than two million workers in the United States alone.

Reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete are the most widely used modern kinds of

concrete functional extensions.

Both concrete and sawdust concrete structural performance is very high, and their

compressive strength is quite similar. However, its flexural or tensile strength is its

greatest weakness. According to Hillhouse (2018) In most situations, reinforcements

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within concrete creates a composite material, with the concrete providing additional

strength against compressive stress while the reinforcement provides strength against

tensile stress known as steel rebar. Steel rebar is most used as a tensioning device to

reinforce concrete and other masonry structures to help hold the concrete in a compressed

state and to hold the structure.

The majority of these researchers used sawdust as a fine aggregate in concrete

production and experimented with various methods to make sawdust a useful

construction material. In conclusion, a capable experimental study was created, and the

lessons learned from the review of the related literature will serve as a basis for the next

chapter of the study.

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Conceptual Framework

(Paradigm 1.1)

The inputs are the conditions given that can alter a specific aspect of an

experiment. Thus, it affects the Process because the test will determine each brick’s

properties, such as water absorption, Pressure test, and Environment test. On the other

hand, the Process affects Output because, with these tests found in the process, the

researchers can determine the levels of effectiveness on a Sawdust product. The data will

be interpreted by the researchers and determine the effective material ratio suitable for

Sawdust concrete production.

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Theoretical Framework

This research was based on the theories and models of Hillhouse's research (2018)

where he said “ If water plus cement equals hard, what about the aggregates” to ask that

question, aggregates were used to support the cement mixed with water and the cement-

filled the gaps between the fine and coarse aggregates to made it constituent. Cement

does not construct structures on its own. Instead, bulk up the concrete using less

expensive filler materials like sand and gravel to boost strength and prevent shrinkage

when the concrete cures.

This study was embedded from the theoretical support of the study made by Brian

Walker (2005) where he stated, “There are several ways concrete temperatures can be

controlled, the method used at most batch plants is to control the temperature of the

water.” Nevertheless, Walker (2005) thinks that using the proportion wisely and the

related specific heat of each material will determine the overall concrete temperature.
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CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

Introduction

This chapter presents the methods and procedures used in this study. It describes

the research design, research samples, research setting, research instrument, and the

research procedure.

Research Design

For this study, the researchers will use comparative research and descriptive

research because the researchers aim to produce the products with different variations of

material ratios and compare their strengths. The researchers also would differentiate the

distinct aspects and properties of sawdust properties. Moreover, in this study, the

researchers will investigate, measure, and describe the characteristics of the product. The

researchers then compare the data and find the best material ratios for the project.

Research Setting

The products will be manufactured in KDO Compound, Lower Azucena, Barili,

Cebu, Philippines, in which the equipment needed is given. It is a construction firm that

lends the equipment needed and also wants to take part in the research. With a valid

permit on hand, the researchers can manufacture the products without interference. The

products will be also manufactured in a controlled environment. The products will be

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tested and monitored in the construction firm compound to avoid any transportation

inconvenience. The firm also has the equipment and instruments needed to test the

products with accuracy. The researchers have the things needed for the manufacturing of

the products and the necessary equipment for the research.

Research Samples

The researchers will compare four groups between each group with five subjects.

The first group sample tests the product's physical quantities with different material ratios

to determine the best physical condition of the product. The second group sample tests

the longevity of the brick the same as the first group; it also has different material ratios.

The third group tests the brittleness of the product. Finally, the last group is the standard

brick aggregates as a reference on our concrete brick.

Research Instrument

The instruments will be employed in the study were concrete pressure,

temperature, and brittleness tests will be conducted to measure the deformation behavior

of sawdust concrete. These three instruments were described as follows.

Pressure Test

The pressure test will determine the brick toughness and its strengths when bent,

pressed, and the ability to hold the load until the material is broken or cracked. The
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researchers will put the brick in a hydraulic press. The standard Compressive strength is

438 psi.

Temperature Test

The temperature test will determine both interior and exterior of the brick’s

durability when exposed to abnormal temperatures that may be cold, hot, and so on. The

researchers tend to find the limit of the brick capability. The content will be based on the

test that will be conducted and analyze its outcomes.

Water Absorption Test

The water absorption tests will determine the inside durability of the brick such as

aggregates which can hold water on both an interior and exterior level, depending on

solubility. As a result, aggregate can absorb water. On the other hand, when the cement

gets too wet, the brick will be weakened and result in failure or breakage. The researchers

tend to find out its specific water absorption by drowning the brick in the container,

reducing its water absorption, and comparing its results. The brick must not exceed 20%

of the weight after the test.

Research Procedure

The researchers came up with a title and topic concerning their chosen field. The

background of the study was provided through various means for the statement of the
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problem to be identified and used as the basis of the study as well as to identify the

study’s scope and limitations. The significance of the study and definitions were also then

stated. The researchers introduced the topic through searching and reviewing related

literature.

The researchers will devise a plan for the production process and the methods for

comparing the products. The products have different material ratios of sawdust, mainly

25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% for the research, and were tested to the limits. The products

were manufactured by a standard brick manufacturing process.

● Gather the materials and equipment needed for the manufacturing process.

(Research instrument)

● Using a measuring instrument, thoroughly measure the material ratios of

the Sawdust and Cement.

● Thoroughly mix the Sawdust and Cement with water. (Water must be even

in every sample).

● Using a Brick Mold (depending on the preferred shape of the brick), fill in

the gaps of the mold to achieve the desired form.

● Leave the mold to dry for 1 - 3 days.

● Gently remove the mold from the finished product.

The products will be tested by certain tests, mainly the temperature test, pressure

test, and water absorption test. The results will be plotted in the datasheets for evaluation

and data gathering. The results provided the recommendations for the manufactured

products.
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Temperature Test

● Label the Sample Bricks before testing.

● Leave the Samples outdoors (Make Sure that the samples are exposed to

the environment).

○ Leave the second batch of samples a room temperature

● After 30 days, check the samples

● Plot the data

Water Absorption Test

● Weigh the samples before the test

● Use anything that holds liquids but specifically a Bucket

● Fill the bucket with water

● Expose the samples in the water for 24 hours

● Weigh the samples again

● Plot the data

Pressure test

● Use a hydraulic press machine post for the test

● Set the pressure with consistency

○ 1st test (438 Psi - Standard compressive strength for common

regular bricks)

○ 2nd test (800 Psi - Standard compressive strength for class A

Brick)
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○ 3rd test (1430 psi - Standard compressive strength for First Class

brick)

● Plot the data

Data Analysis

The researchers will use the following statistical method to process the data:

This study will use a T-test, a type of inferential statistical method, to process the

data. The hypothesis required different kinds of variables between the groups and to

determine the statistical significance. The T-Test is handy for the experiment for a

variety of reasons. The T-test gives the researchers the idea of the significant data to

determine the most efficient usage of materials. Lastly, the T-test also analyzes the

comparison of different independent variables and Hypothesis Testing.

1. T-Test. A t-test is an inferential statistic that is used to see if there is a significant

difference in the means of two groups that are related in some way.

Formula: t= (m1- m2)/(s/√n) or

where: t = student’s test

m1 & m2 = The average values of each of the sample sets

s = standard deviation

n = The sample size

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References

1. Peter Quarshie (2020). Investigation into the use of sawdust. Senior Researcher

and Doctor. https://bit.ly/2W6H6yF

2. A.S.M. Abdul Awa, A.A.K. Mariyana, and M.Z. Hossain (2016). Some aspects of

physical and mechanical properties of sawdust concrete. Faculty of Civil

Engineering. https://bit.ly/3HQQmtQ.

3. Max Maciejewski and Sonia Valencia (2020). The Reality of Concrete. A Safety

Management major and Architect. https://criticalconcrete.com/the-reality-of-

concrete/

4. Sabharish Murali (2006). Design of Cement Plant. Research Scientist and

Chemical Engineering Graduate. https://bit.ly/3kYJZe2.

5. Loren W. Neubauer (1940). Sawdust Concrete Investigations. Civil Engineer and

Pioneer in the field of solar energy. https://bit.ly/2ZwtOgj

6. Grady Hillhouse (2018). Why does Concrete need reinforcements? Civil

Engineer. https://bit.ly/3EqYv5A

7. Abdul Awal, Uroosa and Ruhal Memon, Abdul Mohd.Sam and Lemor Ackekzai

(2017). Performance of sawdust concrete at elevated temperature. Civil

Engineers. https://bit.ly/3GtaFgd

8. Brian Walker (2005). Predicting Fresh Concrete Temperatures. LDP engineer and

former construction management senior. https://bit.ly/3FAQBai

9. Grady Hillhouse (2018). What is Concrete? Civil Engineer. https://bit.ly/3r51pcO.