A Study of Sago Fine Waste (SFW) as a Pozzolanic Material in Cement Bricks with Different Water-Cement Ratio

Abstract

Cement is a key material in the construction industry. However, its widespread use has adversely affected the environment. Compiling cement with waste materials, mainly agricultural wastes, can reduce the impact of environmental pollution and result in sustainable construction. Sago fine waste (SFW) is a fibrous residue from waste from sago milling operations where physical treatment has been made. This study uses SFW as a partial cement replacement cement brick. This study investigated the effect of sago waste on cement bricks' properties based on the difference of three water-cement ratios: 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6. Brick samples were made with five partial replacements: 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%, including control cement brick. The mortar mix was based on a ratio of 1:3, which follows Malaysian brick production standards. For compressive strength, density, and water absorption tests, all the specimens were cured for 7 and 28 days.  The analysis of this study indicates that, according to extensive data collection, the ideal composition for SFW in cement brick was 5% and 0.6 water-cement ratios, indicating higher compressive strength than 0.4 and 0.5 water-cement ratios in 28 days of curing. Therefore, 5% SFW in cement brick produces  the most significant results with a compressive strength of 15.63 MPa, a density of 2017 kg/m³, and water absorption of 12.5% after 28 days of curing. This shows the promise of SFW as a pozzolanic material for creating more environmentally friendly bricks, being one of the solutions to environmental pollution problems, and aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).