THE EFFECT OF VARYING RANGE OF SOIL GRAIN SIZES ON CASSAVA STARCH STABILIZED COMPRESSED EARTH
THE EFFECT OF VARYING RANGE OF SOIL GRAIN SIZES ON CASSAVA STARCH STABILIZED COMPRESSED EARTH
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Date
2011-06
Authors
RAMSON, PETER PONJUL
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Abstract
This study evaluated the strength and durability characteristics of cassava starch stabilized
compressed earth bricks at 3 different grain size ranges. Laterite obtained locally from Zaria
was sieved into 3 constituent grain sizes ranges of ≤ 2.36mm, ≤ 1.18mm and ≤ 600μm. Earth
bricks of size 140mm × 140mm × 80mm were produced with earth brick production machine
through the application of a pressure of 4N/mm2. The bricks were produced at 6 different
stabilization levels with cassava starch as stabilizer for all the grain size combinations. The
stabilization level are; 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% and 20%. Result shows that cassava starch
stabilized bricks attained a maximum compressive strength of 1.83N/mm2 at 28 days strength
gain. This is 10.9% higher than the NBRRI specified minimum strength of 1.65N/mm2 for
compressed stabilized earth bricks. The study also reveals grain size ≤ 2.36mm and 20%
stabilization as the overall best grain size combination and stabilization level respectively.
Maximum water absorption of 13.23% was revealed at 28 days curing period while a good
abrasion resistance accounting for 0.15% loss in weight was attained. The study therefore
concluded that earth bricks produces with soil grain size ≤ 2.36mm and stabilized at 20%
cassava starch content are of satisfactory strength and abrasion resistance and therefore
recommended for use as interior walls and in areas of low exposure to moisture.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA, NIGERIA
IN
PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTERS OF
SCIENCE DEGREE IN CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING,
FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA
JUNE 2011
Keywords
VARYING,, RANGE,, SOIL GRAIN SIZES,, CASSAVA,, STABILIZED,, COMPRESSED EARTH