Biomass Geopolymer Composite Adobe Blocks as an Improved Construction Material
Authors: Salahudeen, A.B. And Bakare, E.T.
DOI Info: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12599807
ABSTRACT
This study focused on investigating alternative construction materials for low-cost housing due to the skyrocketing costs of conventional building materials. The study methodology includes laboratory evaluation of the characteristics of 150mmx100mmx100mm unburnt earth blocks improved with corncob ash (CCA) geopolymer cement. Blocks produced at various percentages of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% mix of clay/CCA geopolymer were crushed at 7 and 28 days of curing to observe their compressive strength. The block samples were observed to absorb a higher amount of water with an increase in the percentage content of CCA Alkali-Silica geopolymer. Careful observations were made on several properties of the samples such as the presence of cracks/voids and the level of shrinkage after 28 days of curing. Based on the compressive strength result of 5.87 N/mm2 obtained at 28 days, it was recommended that up to 50% CCA geopolymer content be used to replace cement by weight.
Affiliations: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
Keywords: Alkali-silica, Corncobs Ash, Earth Block, Geopolymer Cement, Pozzolanic Material, Strength Improvement
Published date: 2024/06/30
