COMPATIBILITY OF SOME TROPICAL HARDWOOD SPECIES WITH PORTLAND CEMENT

Abstract

The compatibility of eight tropical hardwood species with ordinary Portland cement was investigated using the cement hydration reaction method. The hydration characteristics (maximum hydration temperature and time to reach maximum hydration temperature) observed for the wood-cement-water mixtures of various species under investigation showed considerable differences in their effect on the hydration reaction of Portland cement. Among the eight species examined, danta was observed to be the least inhibitory while gmelina was the most potent in its effect on cement setting. Hot water extraction had no significant effect on the compatibility of dan tawith Portland cement. All other species including ahun, idigbo, afara, obeche, antiaris, omo and gmelina showed considerable improvement in their compatibility with Portland cement following hot water extraction. Gmelina, however, appeared to require more than hot water treatment to make it sufficiently compatible with Portland cement.