THE UTILIZATION OF SNAIL SHELL POWDER AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF CEMENT IN CONCRETE

ABSTRACT

Escalating prices of cement in Nigeria is a rising problem, hence there is need to explore other materials in the production of affordable concrete for construction. The issue of waste management is another area of serious concern. This study explored the impact and feasibility of snail shell powder to partially replace cement in concrete. The goal of the research is to assess the mechanical qualities, long-term viability, and financial effects of adding snail shell ash to concrete mixtures by methodical testing and analysis. Methodologies employed in this investigation encompassed the collection of snail shells from local market waste dumps in Benin City; evaluation of the materials for the production of concrete; carrying out partial replacement of cement using cast cubes and conducting strength tests on the cubes. Fresh concrete and concrete with admixture were subjected to slump test and compressive strength test respectively. Setting time tests, Gradation analysis, and Specific Gravity tests were conducted on the materials for the concrete production. Cement was replaced with snail shell ash at different proportions at 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% ,then concrete was cured and crushed at 14, 21 and 28days. The results obtained indicated a relatively high compressive strength at 5% to 10% replacement of cement with snail shell ash after 14, 21 and 28 days. However, a gradual decrease in the compressive strength was observed at higher replacement levels between 15% to 25%. This indicates that excessive replacement might negatively impact the strength and workability of concrete where cement is replaced with snail shell ash.