Abstract:
The research was conducted to study the suitability of using laterite soil, quarry dust
and the crushed brick as alternative aggregates for concrete production for low cost
housing since the rising cost of concrete materials coupled with environmental
degradation has impaired the construction industry. The following tests were carried
out to determine the physical properties of these materials; density tests, silt content,
water absorption, sieve analysis, specific gravity, flakiness index and aggregate
crushing value. The research was conducted by testing concrete cylinder and cubes
specimens at ages of 7, 14 and 28 days concrete with concrete mix ratios 1:1.5:3 with
a target strength of 25 N/mm2 and 1:2:4 with a target strength of 20 N/mm2
. Samples
of concrete specimens were made using varying contents of quarry dust and laterite
as fine aggregate. The quantity of quarry dust was varied from 0 to 100% against
laterite at intervals of 25%. The samples were cured for specified periods, i.e., 7, 14
and 28 days and tested in the laboratory for compressive strength and split tensile
strength. Compressive strength at 28 days ranged from 17.5-19.9 N/mm2 for mix
ratio 1:1.5:3 and 14.7-17.6 N/mm2
for mix ratio 1:2:4. Split tensile strength at 28
days ranged from 1.9-2.5 N/mm2
, 1.4-2.5 N/mm2
respectively. These results are
slightly lower as compare to those of conventional concrete. The results revealed that
a combination of 75% quarry dust against 25% laterite and 100% quarry dust against
0% laterite attained higher compressive strength and that these materials are ideal for
making concrete to be used where high strength of concrete, i.e., strength exceeding
20 N/mm2
is not required.
