Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Abstract:
The paper examined some mechanical properties of mound soil concrete (MSC) to harness its structural property in the construction industry. Mound soil (MS), randomly selected from some habitats of a common tropical specie of termites from Iyeke-Ogba, Nigeria was investigated. The work applied the laboratory investigative methodology. Steel moulds measuring 150mm x 150mm x 150mm were used to cast cube samples from a standard 1:2:4 mix. Water to cement ratio (w/c) was kept constant at 0.55 and the content of mound soil was varied between 0 and 30%. The moulds were demoulded after 24 hours and the samples cured in a tank at 300C and were tested for 7, 14 and 28 days strength. The results showed that the control mix with 0% MS gave a compressive strength of 39.22 N/mm2 and slump of 65mm. Addition of 15% mound soil by weight of cement produced 47.78 N/mm2 with 24mm slump representing an increase of 21.83% in compressive strength and 36.92% improvement of workability. The paper concludes that MS can be used as an additive in structural concrete for high compressive strength and workability.

Keywords: concrete, admixtures, strength, workability and economy.

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