Effect of Sawdust Content on Mechanical and Durability Performance of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)-Based Lightweight Geopolymer Composites

Effect of Sawdust Content on Mechanical and Durability Performance of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)-Based Lightweight Geopolymer Composites | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Effect of Sawdust Content on Mechanical and Durability Performance of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)-Based Lightweight Geopolymer Composites Lakshmi Kant, Shiv kumar shah, Md. Tausif Iqbal, Sushila Sharma, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7951480/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study explores the effect of sawdust incorporation on the mechanical and durability properties of expanded polystyrene (EPS)-based lightweight geopolymer composites (LGCs) cured under ambient conditions. The mixtures were formulated with 10% EPS (by volume) while varying sawdust content at 10%, 20%, and 30% as partial replacement for natural fine aggregates. Physical, mechanical, and durability characteristics were evaluated through workability, density, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), compressive, splitting tensile, flexural, and impact strength, alongside sorptivity tests. Results indicated a progressive reduction in workability and density with increasing sawdust, with density decreasing from 2203.89 kg/m³ (SD0) to 1017.91 kg/m³ (SD30), confirming the lightweight potential of the composites. Compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths decreased significantly at higher sawdust levels due to its low stiffness, high porosity, and weak interfacial bonding with the geopolymer matrix. Nonetheless, the mix containing 20% sawdust exhibited improved impact resistance, reflecting enhanced energy absorption and ductility. Sorptivity increased from 0.88 to 1.30 mm/min⁰·⁵, suggesting higher permeability and moisture ingress at elevated replacement levels. A strong correlation (R² = 0.97) between UPV and compressive strength confirmed UPV as an effective non-destructive indicator of mechanical performance. Overall, limited substitution (≤ 15%) of sawdust is recommended for structural-grade LGCs, while higher contents may be appropriate for non-structural or insulation applications emphasizing sustainability and reduced self-weight. Physical properties Sawdust UPV Impact load and Geopolymer composite Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7951480","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":542871338,"identity":"c2b2c237-d225-492a-a593-a51290f98309","order_by":0,"name":"Lakshmi Kant","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABCklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACPgY2BmYGBgkDKP+AHJh8gEcLG0ILkGJIOGAM1pJAWAsDXEtiA0gYrxb2Y8mfC3MsjPln9x/+8PHHnfT5YYcfAm2xk9NtwKGFJ+2Y9MxtEmYSdw6zSc5IeJa78XaaAVBLsrHZAVwOS29j5t0mYcNwI5mNmSfhcO7G2QkgLQcSt+HSwv+8+TNIi/yNZObPfxIOpxvOTv+AX4tE2gFpoBYzgxvJDNIMCYcT5KVzCNgi8SwNpMXY8EaymWRP2mHDDdI5BQcSDHD7hZ8/zRjosDrDeTcSH3/4YXNYXn52+uYPHyrs5HBpwQQGYJUGBFShAPkGUlSPglEwCkbBSAAAIGxgDQ++Y78AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Rastrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar College of Engineering, Begusarai","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lakshmi","middleName":"","lastName":"Kant","suffix":""},{"id":542871339,"identity":"61c1c5a0-c22d-40f4-9f49-63352e0405a1","order_by":1,"name":"Shiv kumar shah","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Rastrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar College of Engineering, Begusarai","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Shiv","middleName":"kumar","lastName":"shah","suffix":""},{"id":542871340,"identity":"29b4a534-9326-4897-a92d-f038a5591837","order_by":2,"name":"Md. 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Composites","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Physical properties, Sawdust, UPV, Impact load, and Geopolymer composite","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7951480/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7951480/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis study explores the effect of sawdust incorporation on the mechanical and durability properties of expanded polystyrene (EPS)-based lightweight geopolymer composites (LGCs) cured under ambient conditions. The mixtures were formulated with 10% EPS (by volume) while varying sawdust content at 10%, 20%, and 30% as partial replacement for natural fine aggregates. Physical, mechanical, and durability characteristics were evaluated through workability, density, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), compressive, splitting tensile, flexural, and impact strength, alongside sorptivity tests. Results indicated a progressive reduction in workability and density with increasing sawdust, with density decreasing from 2203.89 kg/m\u0026sup3; (SD0) to 1017.91 kg/m\u0026sup3; (SD30), confirming the lightweight potential of the composites. Compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths decreased significantly at higher sawdust levels due to its low stiffness, high porosity, and weak interfacial bonding with the geopolymer matrix. Nonetheless, the mix containing 20% sawdust exhibited improved impact resistance, reflecting enhanced energy absorption and ductility. Sorptivity increased from 0.88 to 1.30 mm/min⁰\u0026middot;⁵, suggesting higher permeability and moisture ingress at elevated replacement levels. A strong correlation (R\u0026sup2; = 0.97) between UPV and compressive strength confirmed UPV as an effective non-destructive indicator of mechanical performance. Overall, limited substitution (\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;15%) of sawdust is recommended for structural-grade LGCs, while higher contents may be appropriate for non-structural or insulation applications emphasizing sustainability and reduced self-weight.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Effect of Sawdust Content on Mechanical and Durability Performance of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)-Based Lightweight Geopolymer Composites","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-11-13 10:00:34","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7951480/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"d42e3f04-f1bc-46da-a199-f37049afe854","owner":[],"postedDate":"November 13th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-12-11T08:40:49+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-11-13 10:00:34","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7951480","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7951480","identity":"rs-7951480","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}