Performance Evaluation of the Potentials of Volcanic Deposit (Biotite Granite Powder) as a Pozzolanic Material in Concrete.
Yahaya A. M.; Ishaya A. A.; Anowai S; Zakka P. W; Iwu V.; Pam M. &
Bwarak J. R
Department of Building
University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is one of the most consumed materials after water. It is used as the main binding material in construction industries across the globe. However, it is liable for carbon to CO2 emissions and so on. Besides it is one of the most energy intensive materials after aluminium and steel. This concern had since decades made esearchers to develop other types of cement particularly the pozzolanic Portland cement (PPC). The PPC are admixtures to Portland cement in concrete aimed at better performance in concrete. The research was
aimed at investigating the suitability of biotite granite as a pozzolana in concrete by evaluating the potential of the biotite granite deposit from Buji complex in Hwol Buji of Bassa LGA Plateau state, Nigeria. The objective of the research looks at the chemical and physical properties of the volcanic deposit in view of variations between the OPC and the volcanic deposit. It also evaluated the workability and soundness of the volcanic deposit/cement. The work was concluded by evaluating the pozzolanic activity index of the volcanic deposit with cement by investigating the compressive strength of the hardened concrete produced with the partial replacement of OPC with biotite granite powder. The chemical properties of the material were determined by Energy Dispersive X-Ray
Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique. Lech atelier method was used to determine the soundness of cement paste containing the volcanic deposits; the characteristics of concrete made with the materials in partial replacement of OPC in the concrete samples were also evaluated. A standard mix proportion of 1:2:4 was adopted and water cement ratio kept constant at 0.53 for all the concrete mixes. A total of 54 cubes of 150 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm were produced with 15%, 20%, 30% and 50%
of OPC/BGP respectively. Compressive strength test was performed on the
samples at 7, 14 and 28 days of curing in water. The results of the chemical analysis showed major and minor oxides of the volcanic deposit. The properties of biotite granite powder evaluated showed substantial presence of the oxides of silica, aluminium and iron with SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3 content of 90.65% by weight. The findings also showed that the material is free from carbon materials; the minor oxides identified summed up to 0.34% in value. It has a specific gravity of 2.71 and a Pozzolanic Activity Index with Portland cement of 77%. The result of soundness test was 0.82 mm expansion. The work shows that compressive strength of 84.3%,
