ENHANCING THE THERMO-PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF RAMMED EARTH BY STABILIZING WITH CORN HUSK ASH
ENHANCING THE THERMO-PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF RAMMED EARTH BY STABILIZING WITH CORN HUSK ASH
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2016
Authors
ABODUNRIN, Joshua A. BATAGARAWA, Amina L. SAGADA, Musa L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Conventional building materials such as sandcrele and concrete blocks have high thermal cmnhn tivih
and low specific heat capacity which increase thermal discomfort in comparison In rammed earth in
buildings. However, rammed earth is susceptible to cracking as a result of shrinkage due the healing
effect of the sun. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of corn husk ash as a stabilizer foi
the production of rammed earth blocks to improve thermal comfort in buildings. Three different levels
of stabilization (0%, 10% and 20%) using corn husk ash are adopted for this study, beyond which the
strength of the material is known to fail. The samples were moulded and subjected to thermal
conductivity, specific heat capacity and density tests. In general there is a significant improvement in
the thermal conductivity of stabilized rammed earth blocks. From the thermal conductivity test results.
thermal conductivities of 0.996w/k.m', 0.637w/k.m'', and 0.489w/k.m~' were obtained for samples
admixed with 0%, 10%, and 20% corn husk ash respectively. The 0"A 10%, and 20% samples had heal
capacities of 962.1 j/kg.K, 984.9 j/kg.K and 993.-If/kg.K and density increased with the increase in the
amount of ash from 862.3kg/mi to 942.5kg/m3 and 959.5kg/nr respectively. Overall the 20% sample
performs best when compared to the 0% and 10%. Stabilizing rammed earth with corn husk ash can
improve the thermal properties of rammed earth blocks, making them suitable for use as a building
material in enhancing thermal comfort.
Description
SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA
PG STUDENTS' CONFERENCE 2016
(ABUPGSC 2016)
BOOK OF PROCEEDINGS
THEME: CONSOLIDATING AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY
POSTGRADUATE STUDIES THROUGH ENHANCED
MANAGEMENT, DELIVERY AND TIMELY
Keywords
Citation
Proceedings of The Ahmadu Bello University Postgraduate Students' Conference 2016 © School of Postgraduate Studies, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria