Comparing the Characteristics Strength of Hollow Sandcrete Blocks Produced Manually in Landmark University and Machine Compacted in Omu-Aran Metropolis
Gana A.J, Braimoh S. O, Momoh E.U & Amodu M.F,
Department of Civil Engineering,
Landmark University, Omuaran, Kwara State
Email: gana.abu@lmu.edu.ng,braimoh.solomon@lmu.edu.ng, amadu.matthew@lmu.edu.ng
ABSTRACT
This project work investigated and compared the strength of manual method of producing hollow sandcrete blocks with machine compaction method of producing hollow sandcrete blocks obtained from Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of sixty (60) was used for this project work. The block industries were visited and a total of Forty-eight (48) blocks were obtained, twelve (12) blocks for both 6” and 9” from four block industries and control sample of 1:7 mix design were produced, six (6) blocks each of 6” and 9”. The blocks were subjected to various tests such as dimension check, bulk density, water absorption and compressive strength. The average density in these industries and control sample were within the minimum bulk density of 1,500 kg/m3 specified by BS 2028 (BSI 1975). The water absorption rates for the block industries ranged between 8.826 to 13.363% compared to the average water absorption for the control sample which 10.1%. Only one block industry was able to meet the minimum requirement for water absorption, which is below 12%. The compressive strength for 6-inch blocks from the block industries ranged from 0.25-0.41N/mm2 and for 9-inch ranged from 0.3-0.49N/mm2 compared to
the compressive strength of control samples for 6-inch and 9-inch produced were 0.31N/mm2 and 0.39N/mm2 respectively, which are below required standards. It revealed that machine compacted blocks have a higher compressive strength than the manually compacted blocks, but all the samples of the sandcrete blocks were below the Nigeria Industrial standard (NIS 87:2000) specification. Keywords: Comparing, Characteristics, Strength, Hollow Sandcrete Blocks, Produced Manually, Machine Compacted, Omu-Aran Metropolis.
