An Explorative Investigation of the Application of Cissus Populnea (Dafara) Powder as an Admixture in Concrete Production
Dachollom P. Bang1, Paul W. Zakka2, Hosea S. Yohanna3 and Erasmus P. Datok2
1National Film Co-orperation of Nigeria (NFI), Jos
2Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Jos
3 Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Bells University Otta
ABSTRACT
This research was aimed at investigating the behavior of concrete made with powder extracted from bark of cissus populnea (dafara) as an admixture. To achieve this, the chemical properties of the extract, workability, compressive and flexural strength test of the concrete produced were conducted. A mix of 1:2:4 was adopted with the addition of 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5% of cissus populnea to mass of the cement as admixture in the concrete. The samples subjected to compressive strength test after 3, 7, 21 and 28 curing days. Water absorption test on cubes and flexural strength test at 28 days of curing was carried out on concrete beams. From the chemical analysis of the admixture cissus populnea, its SiO2 and Fe2O3 content were 1.65 and 0.91 addition to mass of cement content, this were in excess of the requirement, however this contributed to strength development and prolong setting time while excess AlO3, CaO and MgO content were 4.59, 5.77 and 2.44 respectively, this contribute negatively to strength development in concrete. Dafara also act as retarder by delaying or slowing the initial setting rate of concrete. It was also found that the average strength of concrete produced with 0.2% cissus populnea powder which is the optimum dosage gave a strength higher than the control mix and also attained the minimum strength required at 28days by the BS1881 (1983b) part 116 which is 21N/mm2, with the highest flexural strength of 5.17N/mm2, water absorption at 4.79 percent, a slump of 12 mm and compacting factor of 0.93, which is medium workability. Base on the results and observations, dafara powder can be regarded as a retarder which equally checks segregation and bleeding in concrete.
Keywords: Explorative, Investigation, Cissus populnea, Admixture, Concrete
