Research and development of wood-cement composites as sustainable building materials based on secondary resources

Conversion of waste into innovative materials that contribute to the sustainable development of infrastructure and the construction industry is an important task in today's society. Wood-cement composites which are building materials that combine wood components and a cement matrix are studied herein. These composites have a number of such advantages as high strength, excellent thermal insulation properties, durability and environmental friendliness. The manufactured composite material is a lightweight concrete based on secondary resources, binders and mineral components. Standardized measuring equipment and methods intended to analyze the chemical composition and physical and chemical properties of wood-cement composites (arbolite) were used in laboratory experimental tests. All samples studied were 40 mm × 40 mm × 160 mm lightweight concrete. Four options to obtain a wood-cement composite in various combinations of binders, minerals and other additives were proposed in the research work. All samples were tested to determine the physical and mechanical characteristics and the optimal composition with improved properties. Secondary resources in the form of wood waste and ash from combined heat and power plants (CHPP) were obtained from industrial structures of the Republic of Kazakhstan. An X-ray diffraction analysis of the CHPP ash was performed to determine the chemical mineral composition that showed a high content of silicon. According to the test results, the CH-4 sample demonstrated high physical and mechanical characteristics. The compression strength of the wood-cement composite sample reached 37.1 MPa, and the bending strength was 7.4 MPa on the 28th day, which proves the high performance properties of this composite.