Recommendation points
- What is arbolite
- What is sawdust concrete
- Products from wood concrete and sawdust concrete
- DSP
- Arbolite block
- Monolithic wood concrete
- Arbolit do it yourself
The article will tell you about the arbolite material, which is popular today – concrete made of cement mortar with sawdust. We will give various options for using wood concrete and sawdust concrete, methods of making it and erecting monolithic walls. The article also contains video materials describing the technology in detail..
The combination of grout and wood fibers is nothing new. Such compositions entered life along with the cement itself. Thanks to the availability of construction tools, everyone can make materials on their site using the selected technology. The composition of products that are prepared from a hardening mixture most often depends on the specifics of the region. If there are objects of heavy industry nearby, it is easy to get slag, and wood waste is used in forest areas.
What is arbolite
Arbolite is made from wood chips (20-50 mm) and cement mortar. It has a low thermal conductivity, but it is only suitable for upper floors and lightly loaded masonry. This material has been known for a long time – along with many derivatives of standard concrete, it is the result of an experiment to replace coarse aggregate – crushed stone. As you know, wood has a significantly lower thermal conductivity than any stone (except for porous ones), which means that the thermal conductivity of the material in which wood inclusions are used decreases.
Any type of waste when processing clean wood (except bark) with a thickness of no more than 15 mm is suitable for wood filler. It can be bast, shavings, fibers, wood chips. This aggregate can be purchased inexpensively at your local sawmill. The “classic” composition looks something like this – 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, 6-8 parts wood filler.
Video: properties of wood concrete
What is sawdust concrete
Sawdust concrete consists of sawdust, sand and cement. The blocks are much more rigid, but they conduct heat better. For rigid blocks or monoliths, small sawdust is used – up to 5 mm.
Video: the difference between wood concrete and sawdust concrete
The composition of the mixture for sawdust concrete is determined by everyone himself, but the “classic” proportion is considered to be: 1 part of cement, 1 part of sand, 4–5 parts of sawdust. That is, instead of crushed stone, sawdust is added in the same amount. Further, depending on the height of the wall, the requirements for strength and thermal conductivity, the composition can be varied.
In practice, the difference between these materials is leveled and there is a bias in the terminology – it is impossible to draw a clear line between them. Therefore, hereinafter, we will use the term “arbolite”, focusing on the size of the filler.
Video: the composition of sawdust concrete
Products from wood concrete and sawdust concrete
Since the moment of the invention, various product options have been tried, but only the most convenient and relevant have survived to this day. These are cement-bonded particle board (DSP) and wall blocks.
DSP
Cement particle board is a factory product made by pressing a mixture of cement mortar and coarse (10-50 mm) wood filler – bast and chips. The result is a medium-hard slab with good thermal insulation properties. DSP is perfect for plastering walls, subfloors and screeds. For a long time, this material was considered morally obsolete against the background of an abundance of imported products, but in the past 10 years, environmental friendliness and low cost of production have brought DSP to the Top-10 of panel materials..
Arbolite block
It is produced in a similar way to a plate – the mixture is pressed in the form of a block. As a result, the wood concrete block is obtained several times lighter than the cinder block (4.5 kg versus 8 kg), but retains its bearing capacity. An interesting fact is that up to 60% of the safety margin of the material falls on it to withstand the mass of the next (upper) rows of the same material. In the case of light arbolite, this is especially clear..
Due to its low weight, it retains its structural rigidity and does not collapse from its mass even when dropped. To make it yourself, a minimum set of tools is enough – a concrete mixer, a perforator or impact drill and a steel mold with a lid. The mixture is loaded into a mold and pressed manually with vibration.
Video: do-it-yourself arbolit
Monolithic wood concrete
The technology also provides for the construction of both separate blocks and monolithic construction with a gradual laying of the mixture. This method is fundamentally identical to traditional concreting. However, the main problem of formwork for ordinary concrete is the strength requirements, the ability to withstand the load from heavy concrete. In the case of arbolite, the mass of filling the formwork is about 10 times less – simple shields from an inch board (25 mm) are enough.
In the case of the construction of monolithic walls, ordinary plank frames are used as “reinforcement”. They are installed vertically with a pitch of 1200-1500 mm. This imparts structural rigidity to the entire wall and creates an obligatory expansion joint, which is necessary for uniform distribution of shrinkage loads during changes in humidity. The board should first be antiseptic.
As well as any type of material on a cement mortar, wood concrete is perfect for filling sinuses. The specific gravity of wood concrete is 300-800 kg / cubic meter. m, while it is a carrier material. Given its good thermal insulation properties, this is important for attic and interfloor floors. As a heater, it is more than cost-effective – the cost of 1 cubic meter. m of material is about 10 times cheaper than mineral wool. In addition, it does not require mandatory covering – you can walk or store things along the flooded floor.
Video: wood concrete overlap
For lightweight monolithic structures made of wood concrete, not all the rules that apply to concrete are true. For example, reinforcement with metal rods is harmful for them – there is too much difference in density and thermal conductivity. As a result, there is a risk that when the temperature changes, condensation forms on the metal, which is harmful to all materials. Therefore, if there is a need to apply reinforcement, use a polymer road mesh.
Arbolit do it yourself
If there are no woodworking enterprises nearby, and you really want to build a house from wood concrete, you can prepare wood filler of your own production. To do this, you need a wood shredder (not to be confused with a branch shredder!). Such a machine of domestic production will cost about $ 3,000. That is, but this amount is hardly comparable to the cost of wall material and insulation for a house. It can be used to grind any wood material and slabs into chips..
The most popular myth about wood concrete is that wood inclusions begin to rot over time. Long-term practice of using products from this material has shown that it retains cleanliness not only in the structure, but even in a completely destroyed state..
Video: the durability of wood concrete
Our quick review, of course, does not pretend to be true, but houses built using the described technologies have served their owners for many years. If you want to reduce the cost of construction as much as possible, “as a reward” you will receive a completely environmentally friendly “living” house, literally collected from waste. A home built with love with your own hands is in no way inferior in comfort and durability to houses made using ultra-modern technologies from “nanomaterials”.
Could you provide detailed instructions on how to make load-bearing walls using arbolite or sawdust concrete? I’m curious about this alternative construction material and would like to understand the process better. How does it compare to traditional methods in terms of strength, durability, and cost? Are there any specific considerations or challenges when working with arbolite or sawdust concrete? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
To make load-bearing walls using arbolite or sawdust concrete, follow these steps:
1. Prepare a mixture of cement, water, sawdust or arbolite, and an aggregate like sand or gravel in predetermined proportions.
2. Mix the components thoroughly until you achieve a uniform consistency.
3. Pour the mixture into wall forms, ensuring proper reinforcement placement.
4. Compact the concrete mixture in layers to remove air bubbles and ensure adequate strength.
5. Allow the walls to cure and dry completely before applying any load.
In terms of strength, durability, and cost, arbolite or sawdust concrete has some advantages and considerations. It offers good thermal insulation properties, reduced weight, and lower material costs compared to traditional methods. However, its strength and durability may be lower, making it suitable for non-structural walls or low-rise buildings. Specific considerations when working with this material include proper mixing and compaction to maintain the desired compressive strength. Adequate protection from moisture and pests may also be necessary to enhance its durability over time. It is advisable to consult with experts or engineers to ensure its suitability for your specific project requirements.