Assessment of Mechanical Properties and the Influence of the Addition of Sawdust in Soil–Cement Bricks Using the Technique of Ultrasonic Anisotropic Inspection

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of sawdust addition in soil–cement bricks and evaluate their mechanical properties using ultrasonic techniques and concepts of structural anisotropy. The influence of sawdust inclusion on soil–cement (specimens, bricks, and prisms) was analyzed by measuring tensile strength, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and ultrasonic pulses. To determine the relation between mechanical characteristics of soil–cement–sawdust and ultrasonic pulses, the concepts of structural anisotropy and ANOVA were used. Results indicate that the influence of sawdust inclusion on mechanical characteristics of soil–cement depends not only on soil type, but also on the shape and configuration of bricks and prisms. The addition of sawdust to sandy soil increased its compressive strength, elasticity modulus, and ductility. When added to clayey soils, there was a decrease in compressive strength of the soils but an increase in elasticity modulus and ductility. A strong relation between ultrasonic-pulse velocities and soil–cement–sawdust mechanical characteristics was verified.