INFLUENCE OF RIVER SOURCE ON THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF SANDCRETE BLOCKS MADE IN WARRI, DELTA STATE

ABSTRACT

Sandcrete blocks comprise of water, natural sand cement. Sandcrete blocks are the building units used in the construction of wall and partitions. Diverse sizes of sandcrete blocks are used to construct free standing walls and building structure with load and non – load bearing units. This research work investigates and compared strength of sandcrete blocks produced with fine aggregate from different source in Warri, Delta state. Sieve analysis was conducted on the samples and the result revealed that all the samples are good for sandcrete block production. Seventy-five (75) Sandcrete blocks samples were mold. The mix proportion 1:4 was used. Batching by volume was adopted. Curing was done by sprinkling of water on the blocks and compressive strength test was carried out on each specimen at 7, 14 and 28 days respectively. The percentage of fine aggregate used in this research was 100% for all samples. The results revealed that sandcrete blocks produced with fine aggregate from the different riversource have effect of grading of sand on the compressive strength of sandcrete blocks produced from different sands obtained in 5 different rivers in Delta state which are Agbarho river, Orere river, Warri River, Utokuto river and orerokpe river was investigated. The method of curing in all the block samples was by spraying or sprinkling water on the blocks twice daily. The method of curing especially at the early stages could have negative effect on the strength. This is due to the fact that most of the water required for hydration process must have evaporated.