Investigating the suitability of sakasaka sand as replacement of natural aggregates in concrete for low volume pavement construction

Abstract

The demand for access roads to vital services is on the high side in rural areas. This demand face much challenge due to the cost of construction. However, having the opportunity to use non-conventional materials that are naturally available in meeting this demand will ease people living in such environs. It is on this note that an investigation was carried out on an indigenous, naturally available sand popularly known as Sakasaka by Ilesha indigenes to ascertain its suitability for pavement construction. The Sakasaka collected from Ilesha borrow site, Ilesha West Local Government Area of Osun State, was used to produce concrete cubes that were tested after curing for 7, 14, 21, 28, 56, and 112 days respectively to know the strength of the material and compared to theoretical strength. Prior to the cubes production, some investigations such as chemical analysis, Sieve analysis, Specific gravity and so on were carried out on the sand. The study investigates the physical properties, chemical components of Sakasaka as well as the compressive strength properties of the concrete produced at ratio 1:2:4 using Cements A, B, and C 3x brand. The total numbers of cubes cast were 162 with a concrete cube size of 150x150x150mm. Sieve analysis, specific gravity, slump tests were also carried out for different water-cement ratios for the three cement. The concrete cubes were tested at the ages of 7, 14, 21, 28, 56, and 112 days. The effects of cements (A, B, and C) on the all-in-aggregate was investigated with respect to compressive strength at different curing age. From the results obtained, the compressive strengths of cubes were 17.76 N/mm2, 19.92 N/mm2 and 20.5N/mm2 which was in line with the standard compressive strength of concrete mix 1:2:4 at 28days.