Experimental study on the valorization of poplar by-products in cement-based materials

An experimental investigation was undertaken to evaluate the potential use of poplar by-products in cement mortars. Two by-products from poplar processing were studied: sawdust (from sawing wood) and milled fiber (from wood waste obtained during cutting). The fibers and sawdust were incorporated into the mortars as a sand substitution with rates from 10 to 100%. The introduction of these poplar by-products has a significant on the composite properties in both fresh and hardened state. It was noted that the workability of the mixtures with the poplar wood varies with the substitution rate. Moreover, the increase in the amount of fibers or sawdust causes a continuous increase in the porosity of the material, which leads to a decrease in density. A significant decrease in the mechanical properties of bio-sourced mortars was noted, again related to the rate of fibers or sawdust introduced in mixtures. The high internal porosity of the wood particles and their low density can explain these lower mechanical strengths.