Abstract
This research investigated the characteristics of cement stabilized poured laterite beams reinforced with polypropylene ropes. It was carried out with a view to first establish the suitability of laterite for cement stabilized poured earth construction and secondly, the possibilities for strengthening poured laterite elements with 3.75mm diameter Polypropylene (PP) rope as reinforcement. The laterite, cement and Polypropylene rope used were sourced from within Zaria. The laterite was air dried for seven days, sieved with 4.75mm BS sieve size and bagged. Physical test result showed that the laterite had a specific gravity of 2.59 with a plastic index (P.I) of 13% indicating low plasticity. Chemical test showed that the oxide of iron had the highest value of 59.09% weight responsible for the laterite reddish brown colour. The mixes were prepared by proportioning for 0%, 10% and 15% cement stabilization with the 0% cement stabilization acting as the control. A total of 171 specimens consisting of 108 cubes, 27 cylinders and 36 beams were produced. Specimens were tested at 7, 14 and 28 days except for all beams and all control (0%) which were tested on 14 and 28 days. Test for the hardened stabilized laterite included compressive strength (wet and dry), tensile strength, flexural strength (for reinforced and non reinforced PP beams), abrasion, water absorption and tension test for the PP rope were performed. Tensile strength test of the PP rope indicated a value of 75.13N/mm2 as the ultimate tensile strength (UTS). Results showed that specimens containing 15% cement stabilization had the highest 28 days average test result in tensile strength with 0.29N/mm2, abrasion resistance with 1.37%, wet compressive strength with 0.87N/mm2, flexural strength without PP reinforcement having 1.16N/mm2, flexural strength with PP reinforcement having 0.93N/mm2 and water absorption with a result of 24%. On the other hand, 0% cement stabilization (control) recorded the highest average dry compressive strength of 1.75N/mm2 at 28 days. Polypropylene rope reinforcement failed to improve flexural strength of beams. It was concluded that poor bonding or anchorage was a contributory factor in the poor performance of 3.75mm diameter polypropylene reinforced poured laterite beams. Also, 15% cement specimens performed best in six tests out of a total of seven. Based on the research, it was recommended that poured laterite containing 15% cement stabilization could be used for construction of non-load bearing internal walls as it will reduce the overdependence on cement and granite usage thereby conserving the scarce natural resources as well as reducing pollution (noise, air, land, etc).
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