Detecting sawdust, wood, wood chips ... can help bond concrete more strongly

The method of applying wood scraps such as sawdust, wood billet . into construction, specifically making solid concrete and better waterproofing is expected to be a new step to limit CO ₂ emissions and save resources. nature.

A team of researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has successfully developed a very effective method of recycling wood scraps (wood chips, wood billets, wood chips) by combining them with cement mixtures. , mortar.

Quite surprisingly, this combination method unintentionally helps the material stick better and more durable, especially also better waterproof.

Group of researchers at Singapore National University.

Over the past year, wood factories in Singapore have generated more than half a million tons of wood waste, mainly. Most wood scraps are often recycled by decomposing into biochar, a porous coal made from organic materials.

In some ways, biochar can bring environmental benefits. While most of the biomass fuel consumed in the last 10-20 years has emitted carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, biochar is an amazingly stable material. They can even keep CO2 for thousands of years.

Most wood scraps are often recycled by decomposing into biochar.

A study published in 2010 shows that increasing global biochar production could help offset about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Due to its ability to absorb and retain water well, biochar is also known as an excellent soil fertile.

There have been many studies looking at how to commercialize biochar but it is surprising that the fuel has another equally impressive effect.

In the NUS study, scientists found another effect of biochar in construction. Specifically, just adding a small amount of biochar to a cement or mortar mixture can increase material adhesion by up to 20%, and this fuel is also 50% better waterproof.

Approximately 50kg of usable wood waste per ton of concrete.

Kua Harn Wei, a researcher at NUS explained: 'About 50kg of wood waste can be used for every ton of concrete. We usually require about 0.5m ² of concrete blocks for every m ^{2 of} construction floor in Singapore. This also means, a four-room apartment with a floor area of ​​100m2 can cost about 6 tons of wood waste. '

In addition to improving the durability and waterproofing capacity of concrete, the application of construction wood waste is also expected to help reduce CO ₂ emissions. Because most wood waste, such as sawdust, will be burned or buried causing environmental pollution.

Meanwhile, the new method allows 'lock' of most CO ₂ that should have been released into the atmosphere during combustion.