The Importance of Compressive Strength in Sandcrete Block
Sheikh Yusuf, Hamza Aliko & Saleh, M. A.
Department of Civil Engineering
Kaduna Polytechnic, P.M.B. 2021, Kaduna
Email: Ibnyusuf2005@yahoo.com
Corresponding Author: Sheikh Yusuf
ABSTRACT
The compressive strength of sandcrete block is a very important aspect of a block in a building. In many cases of building failures in Nigeria, the strength of the sandcrete block, has been figured as one of the causes of the failure. For this reason, in this research, some blocks were purchased from seven block producing industries in Kaduna Metropolis, and after curing, their compressive strength were determined in the laboratory by crushing them after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. There corresponding compressive strength are: 0.29, 0.32, 0.38 and 0.45 N/mm2(for sample 1), 0.35, 0.67, 0.82, and 0.95 N/mm2 (for sample 2), 0.25, 0.33, 0.39, and 0.48 N/mm2 (for sample 3), 0.56, 0.68,0.72 and 0.98 N/mm2(for sample 4), 2.25, 2.45, 2.82 and 2.74 N/mm2(for sample 5), 0.61, 0.77, 0.82 and 0.96 N/mm2(for sample 6) and 2.32, 2.46,2.78 and 2.95 N/mm2 (for sample 7). From the results only sample 5 and 7 have certified the Nigerian Industrial Standard (N.I.S) of 2.5 N/mm2, for individual blocks i.e.1.7 N/mm2; and 21 and 28 days results have satisfied the British Standards lowest requirements for individual block. The remaining samples 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 have not certified any requirement. When the control, with a cement ratio of 1:6 and water/cement ratio of 0.45, was produced and crushed after curing, the following are the results of the compressive strength after curing for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days: 2.82, 3.01, 3.28 and 3.44 N/mm2. This shows that the control has satisfied the requirements of the N.I.S and the lowest requirement of individual block strength accepted by the British Standards.
Keywords: Sandcrete block, Compressive strength, Curing and Crushing, British Standards
