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An Investigation Into The Properties Of Stabilized Laterite Blocks
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1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION
This
study will focus on making various laterite block samples with cement
stabilization at 5%, 15%, and 25%. The samples are cured and then made
to undergo laboratory tests to determine their compressive strengths,
water absorption capacity and resistance to abrasion. The laterite block
samples will be made from laterite clay sourced from Ogun state,
Nigeria.
1.7 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
ADOBE - A Spanish word
often used in English (and French) to refer to a mud brick. This
technique consists of moulding laterite bricks without compaction and
allowing them to dry in the sun, hence their also being commonly known
as laterite blocks.
CEMENT - A mixture of limestone and clay heated
at a temperature of About 15000C after which gypsum would be added and
the resulting mix ground to a fine powder. It is indeed the addition of
gypsum that prolongs the setting of limestone and clay when in use.
COMPACTION
- This is a mechanical process aimed at increasing the density of the
material, thereby reducing porosity as well as its characteristics. It
also reduces its susceptibility to water.
COMPRESSED LATERITE BRICKS - This refers to the tampering of laterite in a mould where it is compressed using a press.
GYPSUM
- This is a term used to refer to a soft mineral called hydrated
calcium sulphate which is the source of plaster of Paris and other
plasters. It is produced by heating gypsum rock to about 1700 C. At this
temperature, about 75 percent of crystallization water would have been
driven off, leaving a white powder. This powdery substance gets hard
after mixing with water and settles over a short period of time.
HYDRATED
LIME - The production of hydrated lime is carried out in two stages.
The first stage requires the calcination of limestone in a kiln at about
9000 C. At this stage, carbon dioxide will be expelled and quick lime
(calcium oxide) will be produced. Second stage involves slaking or
hydrating quick lime with a certain volume of water which causes the
production of hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide).
LATERITE - This is a
term that is used to refer to formation of soil, particularly clay and
silt, by weathering of rocks especially in a tropical climate, composed
mainly of iron and aluminum hydroxides. It is the term used to describe
all the reddish residual and non-residual tropically weathered soils
formed from decomposed rocks through clays.
LIME - This is a term
used to refer to a white caustic earth (calcium oxide, quicklime,
caustic lime) which is got by calcining calcium hydroxide (slaked lime)
got by adding water to quicklime.
OPTIMAL MOISTURE CONTENT - This is
defined as the moisture or water content at which a specified amount of
compaction would produce the maximum dry density.
SOIL STABILISATION -
This is a term that refers to the process of obtaining a better quality
soil by improving the characteristics of the local soil in order to
create a perfectly suited material for construction works. It assists in
reducing the volume of the spaces between the solid particles thereby
reducing its porosity.
STABILISERS - These are complementary
additions of products intended to enhance the qualities of the earth
materials further, and above all, guarantee that the properties will
endure over time. They are also referred to as stabilizing agents.
STABILISED
LATERITE - Refers to the mixture of sandy clay, water and a given
quantity of stabilizing agents such as lime, cement, bitumen emulsions
etc. These stabilizers increase water resistance. Mostly used for making
walls, bricks etc
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]Sustaining housing development especially to the medium/low-income group of the society has become a huge challenge particularly because of the huge capital outlay required to do so. Thus, acquisition of indigenous building materials by way of Compressed Stabilized Laterite Blocks (CSLBs) has been suggested as a way out. The aim of this research is to investigate the properties of stabilized laterite blocks at 5%, 15%, and 25% stabilization.The specific objectives are; to determine the compressi ... Continue reading---
