Assessment of Laterized Quarry Dust and Crushed Bricks as Alternative Concrete Making Materials

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.