Assessment of the Properties of Compressed Earth Bricks Stabilized with Locust Bean Pod Powder.
Publication Date: 24/09/2024
Author(s): Benedict Uvun Markus , Yusuf Inuwa Muhammed, Jamilu Ya’u.
Volume/Issue: Volume 4 , Issue 4 (2024)
Abstract:
The high cost of the cement and the associated environmental impact has necessitated many researchers to conduct investigations on alternative stabilizers. The research was aimed at assessing the properties of compressed earth bricks stabilized with locust bean pods powder LBPP. It involved addition of LBPP in 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% for a curing periods of 3, 7, and 14 days. The laterite used has Sand 58%, Silt 31%, clay 10.0%, and organic matter 1 %. Liquid limit was 30.13%, plastic limit 15.46%, plasticity index of 14.67%, shrinkage 1.7%, maximum dry density of 1.7 g/cm3 and optimum moisture content of 10%. Chemical oxide composition shows SiO2 16.3%, CaO 13.6%, K2O 35.8%, SO3 4.18%, Cl2 3.16, Fe2O3 16.6%, P2O5 7.64%. Results obtained from stabilized bricks shows that the compressive strength improves from 0.52 N/mm2 for 0%LBPP content at age 3 days to 2.7 N/mm2 for 10% LBPP content at 14 days. The bending strength also increases from 0.02 N/mm2 for 0% LBPP content at age 3days to 0.25 N/mm2 for 10% LBPP content at 14 days curing age. The researcher concludes that LBPP contains cementitious properties and chemical oxides similar to that of Portland cement, and that it improves the compressive and bending strengths of CSEB. The researcher recommends 10% LBPP content and 14 days curing periods for practical applications.
Keywords:
Locust Bean pods, Laterite, Stabilizer.
