Application of Sawdust Ash as Filler Material in Asphaltic Concrete Production

Abstract An increase production of wastes from different companies and agricultural areas creates severe surrounding trouble in terms of management and removal in Ethiopia. Utilization of by-products and residue in construction work is an excellent alternative solution in reducing disposal problems. In this research, the application of sawdust ash in asphalt concrete production is investigated as filler material. Physical and chemical tests were investigated for Saw Dust Ash (SDA). Asphalt specimen prepared using basaltic stone dust without sawdust as filler used as a control material. The SDA was partially replaced with 3 %, 6 %, 9 %, and 12 % by amount of basaltic dust. Performance evaluation of combinations was explored with fatigue, tensile strength, and deformation resistances experiment. The outcome pointed that the use of SDA as packing material enhanced the fatigue life and permanent deformation of asphalt concrete with variable temperature. Furthermore, it was identified that the combination with SDA indicated less sensitive to moisture than basaltic dust. Research finding indicated, an optimum value of SDA could be replaced the basaltic dust is 12 % in asphaltic concrete production.