MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF INTERLOCKING BLOCKS MADE FROM SLUDGE AND WATER HYACINTH

Abstract

This research aimed to study of mechanical properties and thermal conductivity in production of interlocking block the sludge and water hyacinth mixing. The mixture of cement, sludge, and sand are used in various ratios. The mixing ratio of cement : sludge : sand are 10 : 70 : 20, 10 : 60 : 30, and 10 : 50 : 40 respectively. Water hyacinth are added in rate 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight each mixing. The unit weight, water absorption, porosity, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity are conducted. The result shows that the compressive strength of sludge 70% mixing is lower than standard of Thai Industrial Standard 58-1990, which is not suitable for use. However, the compressive strength of the sludge 60% and 50% mixing is in accordance with the standard. The unit weight decrease but porosity increase with the water hyacinth and sludge are increased. The thermal conductivity is between 0.19-0.24 W/m.k, which is a very low thermal conductivity of building materials with similar weight units. Therefore, sludge and water hyacinth are interested of energy saving when used as wall insulation.