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Effect of cement/wood ratios and wood storage conditions on hydration temperature, hydration time, and compressive strength of wood-cement mixtures

Informally Refereed

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of cement/wood ratios and wood storage conditions on hydration temperature, hydration time, and compressive strength of wood-cement mixtures made from six wood species: southern pine, white oak, southern red oak, yellow-poplar, sweetgum, and hickory. Cement/wood ratios varied from 13/1 to 4/1. Wood storage conditions consisted of air-dried and cold-stored wood. Results indicate that hydration temperature was drastically reduced, hydration time was prolonged, and compressive strength was reduced as cement/wood ratio was decreased. This effect was more pronounced for hardwood species and at lower cement/wood ratios. Cold storage of wood slightly increased hydration temperature and shortened hydration time of white oak and sweetgum but did not have any beneficial effect on the other four species. Results also indicate that mixtures with high cement/wood ratios used traditionally in laboratory for research purposes may not truly reflect the wood-cement compatibility at lower cement/wood ratios used in commercial production.

Keywords

Cement/wood ratio, air-dried and cold-stored wood, southern pine, white oak, southern red oak, yellow-poplar, sweetgurn, hickory, hydration temperature, hydration time, compressive strength, Portland cement, calcium chloride, cylindrical compression sample

Citation

Lee, Andy W.C.; Hong, Zhongli; Phillips, Douglas R.; Hse, Chung-Yun. 1987. Effect of cement/wood ratios and wood storage conditions on hydration temperature, hydration time, and compressive strength of wood-cement mixtures. Wood and Fiber Science 19(3):262-268
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/8180