THE USE OF BALANITE SEED FOR PARTIAL REPLACEMENT AS AGGREGATE IN LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE
The research aimed to analyze the strength of concrete using Balanite Seed as partial replacement for coarse aggregate for lightweight concrete. The workability, density, compressive strength and flexural strength were determined in accordance with British Standard codes. Preliminary tests were carried out to determine some physical and mechanical properties of Balanite Seed in comparison with Crushed Granite. Furthermore, workability, bulk density compressive strength and flexural strength of concrete at 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of Balanite Seed as replacement for Crushed Granite as coarse aggregate in concrete mix of ratio 1:2:4 were studied. Concrete cubes of 150×150×150mm were casted, (whereas for the flexural strength, concrete beams of 150×150×750mm were casted) and cured in water for 7, 14 and 28 days after which workability, bulk density, compressive strength of cubes and flexural strength of beams were determined. It was observed that Balanite Seed absorbs much water compared to Crushed Granite, which implies that Balanite Seed has less resistance to impact and shock compared to Crushed Granite and it also indicates that Balanite Seed is much lighter than Crushed Granite. Furthermore, workability, bulk density, compressive strength and flexural strength (of casted beams) were observably found to decrease as the percentage of the Balanite Seed increases in the concrete mix. However, at 15% replacement of Crushed Granite with Balanite Seed, both bulk density and compressive strength of concrete met the requirement for its use as lightweight concrete.
Authors : K. A. Kau, C. E. Osakwe and K. S. Tikikus
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 5(2) Date Uploaded : 26th May 2020