Quality Assessment of Hollow Sandcrete Blocks in Minna, Nigeria
The properties of hollow sandcrete blocks produced in
Minna, Nigeria are presented. Sandcrete block is made of cement,
water and sand binded together in certain mix proportions. For the
purpose of this work, fifty (50) commercial sandcrete block industries
were visited in Minna, Nigeria to obtain block samples and
aggregates used for the manufacture, and to take inventory of the mix
composition and the production process. Sieve analysis tests were
conduction on the soil sample from various block industries to
ascertain their quality to be used for block making. The mix ratios
were also investigated. Five (5) nine inches (9’’ or 225mm) blocks
were obtained from each block industry and tested for dimensional
compliance and compressive strength. The results of the soil test
shows that the grading fall within the limit for natural aggregate and
can easily are used to obtain workable mix. Physical examinations of
the block sizes show slight deviation from the standard requirement
in NIS 87:2000. Compressive strength of hollow sandcrete blocks in
range of 0.12 N/mm2 to 0.54 N/mm2 was obtained which is below the
recommendable value of 3.45 N/mm2 for load bearing hollow
sandcrete blocks. This indicates that these blocks are below the
standard for load-bearing sandcrete blocks and cannot be used as load
bearing walling units. The mix composition also indicated low
cement content resulting in low compressive strength. Most of the
commercial block industries visited does not take curing very serious.
Water were only sprinkled ones or twice before the blocks were
stacked and made readily available for sale. It is recommended that a
mix ratio of 1:4 to 1:6 should be used for the production of sandcrete
blocks and proper curing practice should be adhered. Blocks should
also be cured for 14 days before making them available for
consumers.
[1] M. Abdullahi, “Compressive Strength of Sancrete Blocks in Bosso and
Dutsen Kura Area of Minna, Nigeria,” AU Journal of Technology, vol.
9, pp. 126-132, October 2005.
[2] E. B. Oyetola, and M. Abdullahi. “The Use of Rice Husk Ash in Low-
Cost Sandcrete Block Production,” Leonardo Electronic Journal of
practices and Technologies, vol.8, pp. 58-70, August 2006.
[3] G.L. Oyekan, and O. M. Kamiyo, “Effect of Nigerian Rice Husk Ash on
Some Engineering Properties of Sandcrete Blocks and Concrete,”
Research Journal of Applied Sciences, vol 3, pp. 345-351, 2008.
[4] Nigerian Industrial Standard NIS 87: 2000. Standard for Sandcrete
Blocks. Standard Organization of Nigeria. Lagos, 2000.
[5] British Standards Institutions. BS 882: Specification for Aggregate from
Natural Sources for Concrete: British Standards Institutions, London,
England, 1992.
[6] M. Abdullahi, “Properties of Some Natural Fine Aggregates in Minna
and Environs,” Leonardo Journal of Science, Romania, Issue 8, pp 1 – 6,
2006.
[7] G. D. Taylor, Materials in Construction: An Introduction, 3rd ed.,
Singapore: Pearson Education, 2000.
[8] B. K. Baiden, and M. M. Tuuli, “Impact of Quality Control Practices in
Sandcrete Block Production,” Journal of Architectural Engineering, vol.
10, issue 2, pp. 53-600, 2004.
[9] British Standards Institution. BS 3148: Methods of Test for Water for
Making Concrete. British Standards Institutions, London. 1980.
[1] M. Abdullahi, “Compressive Strength of Sancrete Blocks in Bosso and
Dutsen Kura Area of Minna, Nigeria,” AU Journal of Technology, vol.
9, pp. 126-132, October 2005.
[2] E. B. Oyetola, and M. Abdullahi. “The Use of Rice Husk Ash in Low-
Cost Sandcrete Block Production,” Leonardo Electronic Journal of
practices and Technologies, vol.8, pp. 58-70, August 2006.
[3] G.L. Oyekan, and O. M. Kamiyo, “Effect of Nigerian Rice Husk Ash on
Some Engineering Properties of Sandcrete Blocks and Concrete,”
Research Journal of Applied Sciences, vol 3, pp. 345-351, 2008.
[4] Nigerian Industrial Standard NIS 87: 2000. Standard for Sandcrete
Blocks. Standard Organization of Nigeria. Lagos, 2000.
[5] British Standards Institutions. BS 882: Specification for Aggregate from
Natural Sources for Concrete: British Standards Institutions, London,
England, 1992.
[6] M. Abdullahi, “Properties of Some Natural Fine Aggregates in Minna
and Environs,” Leonardo Journal of Science, Romania, Issue 8, pp 1 – 6,
2006.
[7] G. D. Taylor, Materials in Construction: An Introduction, 3rd ed.,
Singapore: Pearson Education, 2000.
[8] B. K. Baiden, and M. M. Tuuli, “Impact of Quality Control Practices in
Sandcrete Block Production,” Journal of Architectural Engineering, vol.
10, issue 2, pp. 53-600, 2004.
[9] British Standards Institution. BS 3148: Methods of Test for Water for
Making Concrete. British Standards Institutions, London. 1980.
@article{"International Journal of Architectural, Civil and Construction Sciences:70854", author = "M. Abdullahi and S. Sadiku and Bashar S. Mohammed and J. I. Aguwa", title = "Quality Assessment of Hollow Sandcrete Blocks in Minna, Nigeria", abstract = "The properties of hollow sandcrete blocks produced in
Minna, Nigeria are presented. Sandcrete block is made of cement,
water and sand binded together in certain mix proportions. For the
purpose of this work, fifty (50) commercial sandcrete block industries
were visited in Minna, Nigeria to obtain block samples and
aggregates used for the manufacture, and to take inventory of the mix
composition and the production process. Sieve analysis tests were
conduction on the soil sample from various block industries to
ascertain their quality to be used for block making. The mix ratios
were also investigated. Five (5) nine inches (9’’ or 225mm) blocks
were obtained from each block industry and tested for dimensional
compliance and compressive strength. The results of the soil test
shows that the grading fall within the limit for natural aggregate and
can easily are used to obtain workable mix. Physical examinations of
the block sizes show slight deviation from the standard requirement
in NIS 87:2000. Compressive strength of hollow sandcrete blocks in
range of 0.12 N/mm2 to 0.54 N/mm2 was obtained which is below the
recommendable value of 3.45 N/mm2 for load bearing hollow
sandcrete blocks. This indicates that these blocks are below the
standard for load-bearing sandcrete blocks and cannot be used as load
bearing walling units. The mix composition also indicated low
cement content resulting in low compressive strength. Most of the
commercial block industries visited does not take curing very serious.
Water were only sprinkled ones or twice before the blocks were
stacked and made readily available for sale. It is recommended that a
mix ratio of 1:4 to 1:6 should be used for the production of sandcrete
blocks and proper curing practice should be adhered. Blocks should
also be cured for 14 days before making them available for
consumers.", keywords = "Compressive strength, dimensions, mix proportions,
sandcrete blocks.", volume = "9", number = "10", pages = "1288-5", }