ASSESSMENT OF THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF SOIL CEMENT BLOCK EXPOSED TO NPK FERTILIZER

ASSESSMENT OF THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF SOIL CEMENT BLOCK EXPOSED TO NPK FERTILIZER

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page

Abstract
Table of Contents
List of Symbols and Abbreviations
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
1.3 Justification for the Study
1.4 Aim and Objectives
1.5 Scope and Limitation
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 History of Earth Materials and Traditional Clay Buildings
2.2 Traditional Methods of Earth Construction
2.2.1 Adobe Blocks
2.2.2 Cob
2.3 Modern Methods of Earth Construction
2.3.1 Compressed Earth Block
2.3.2 Stabilised Soil
2.4 Stabilisation Techniques
2.4.1 Mechanical Stabilisation
2.4.2 Cement Stabilisation
2.4.3 Lime Stabilisation
2.4.4 Bitumen Stabilisation
2.4.5 Gypsum Stabilisation
2.4.6 Pozzolanas Stabilisation
2.4.7 Other Stabilisers
2.5 Hydraform Blocks
2.5.1 Suitable Soil for Soil Cement Block
2.5.2 Tests for Soils
2.6 Compressive Strength of Hydraform Blocks
2.7 Moisture Movement
2.8 Chemical Analysis of SCB
2.9 Durability of Hydraform Blocks
2.10 Deterioration Mechanisms in SCB
2.10.1 Water Related Deterioration in SCBs
2.10.2 Temperature-Related Deterioration in SCBs
2.10.3 Chemical-Related Deterioration
CHAPTE THREE
3.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
3.1 Materials
3.1.1 Properties of Soil
3.1.2 Shrinkage Test
3.1.3 Aggregate Grading (Sieve Analysis Test)
3.2 Properties of Hydraform Blocks
3.2.1 Water Absorption
3.2.2 Wet Compressive Strength Test
3.2.3 Dry Compressive Strength Test
3.3 Chemical Analysis of Cement, Laterite and NPK Fertilizer
3.4 Hydraform Experimental Procedure
3.4.1 Preparation of NPK Fertilizer Solution
3.4.2 Compressive Strength Test after Exposure to NPK Solution
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis
4.2 Properties of Soil
4.2.1 Shrinkage Test
4.2.2 Result of Aggregate Grading (Sieve Analysis Test)
4.3 Properties of Hydraform Blocks
4.3.1 Moisture Absorption Test
4.3.2 Dry Compressive Strength
4.3.3 Wet Compressive Strength
4.4 Chemical Analysis
4.4.1 Chemical Composition Analysis of Dangote Ordinary Portland Cement
4.4.2 Chemical Composition Analysis of Laterite
4.4.3 Chemical Composition Analysis of NPK
4.5 Compressive Strength Test Results
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of Findings
5.2 Conclusions
5.3 Recommendations
REFERENCES
APPENDICIES

Abstract

Many farmers, especially rural farmers, use his NPK fertilizers in their agriculture. These farmers do not have proper storage facilities to store their produce. This study aimed to determine the compressive strength of soil cement blocks (SCB) in contact with NPK fertilizers to study chemical reactions and determine the suitability of SCBs in the construction of warehouses for NPK storage. increase. SCB was supplied by his Hydraform block company building a property in Kuje, LGA Abuja. A total of 150 samples of SCB, the soil used for SCB production, were obtained from the Kuje LGA site. Soil properties and block properties that determine cement content are studied according to BS EN 771-1.

2011 and BS EN 772-1:
Shrinkage was 5.8% each in 2011 and sieve analysis (clay and silt 0.95%) shows that cement content can be increased for improvement
Strength of SCB. The wet compressive strength (1.8 N/mm2) was 78% of the dry strength.
Compressive strength (2.3 N/mm2) and less than 80% recommended by BS EN 772-1:
2011. Chemical analysis of cement, soil and NPK was performed and found that saturated solutions of NPK produced different concentrations. Solutions were prepared and three randomly selected blocks were soaked for 7, 14, 21, 28, 56 and 90 days, respectively, to ensure adequate exposure to the NPK solution. Compressive strength tests show that the control behaves differently than the solution behaves. In controls, calcium hydroxide was observed to leach out of the low compaction cement paste.
Strength of 1.64 N/mm2. On the other hand, the compressive strength of SCB in NPK solution is
Higher after 7 days (1.7 N/mm2, 1.74 N/mm2, 2.12 N/mm2, 2.13 N/mm2, 2.11 N/mm2). After 56 and 90 days, we observed the formation of a white layer inside the SCBs exposed to high concentrations of NPK. This was probably related to an ion-exchange reaction with calcium hydroxide. SCB is suitable for use in building warehouses for storing NPK fertilizers, as long as soil selection and block production are based on standard codes and the structure is kept dry from moisture. I understand.