Strength-based Appropriateness of Sawdust Concrete for Rigid Pavement

This paper presents the mechanical properties of sawdust concrete and its application as criteria for rigid pavement works. Sawdust concrete with nominal mixes 1:1:2, 1:1 1/2:3, 1:2:4, 1:3:6, and 1:4:8 (1 part cement to 1, 1 1/2, 2, 3 or 4 parts fine sand to 2, 3, 4, 6 or 8 parts sawdust) with 0.60 water-cement ratio were produced and cast into cubes, beams and cylindrical shape for the compressive, flexural and split tensile strength tests, modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio tests. The derived values were compared with the Nigerian and British Ports Association standards/codes for rigid pavements. The slump values for all fresh mixes ranged between 0.10-0.20mm which indicated low workability, while their strength increased with maturity. Only nominal concrete mixes 1:1:2 and 1:1 1/2:3 possessed adequate compressive and flexural strengths for rigid pavement works. Hence, they were recommended as sawdust concrete rigid pavement surfacing, cement bounded base or sub-base materials.