Sustainable Housing Solution in Jalingo: Concrete from Sawdust Ash

The study investigated the potential of sawdust ash, derived from locally sourced wood waste in Jalingo, Taraba State, as a partial replacement for Ordinary Portland Cement in concrete production for sustainable housing. Sawdust ash obtained from different wood species was incorporated into concrete mixes at replacement levels of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, using fine aggregates sourced from Rivers Nukkai, Mayo-Gwoi, and Donga. A control mix with 0% ash was also prepared for comparison. Standard concrete tests were conducted to evaluate workability, density, and compressive strength at 7 and 28 days curing periods, targeting grade 20 concrete. The results show that concrete containing 5% to 10% sawdust ash achieved compressive strengths comparable to or exceeding the target strength at 28 days, while 15% replacement produced marginal results and 20% replacement consistently fell below acceptable limits. Mahogany ash generally performed better than marina ash, and variations in sand source influenced strength development. The findings demonstrated that sawdust ash can serve as an effective supplementary cementitious material at low replacement levels, offering a sustainable means of reducing cement consumption, construction costs, and environmental pollution from wood waste. The study concluded that sawdust ash concrete is a viable option for affordable housing development in Jalingo when used within optimal limits.