The increase in construction costs has resulted in the shortage of decent housing in Kenya. As a result, the majority of the population lives in substandard housing. One way of reducing the cost of housing is by replacing the mortared masonry units with dry-stack hollow masonry units. In this study, Dry-stack hollow Sandcrete Blocks (DHSBs) were developed by utilizing blended sand (30% marine and 70% lateritic sand) and sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) (15%) as replacement of river sand and partial replacement of Ordinary Portland Cement, respectively. Two types of dry-stack hollow sandcrete blocks (DHSBs) were mechanically developed and identified as T-DHSBs and R-DHSBs. The compressive strength and durability performance of the DHSBs were investigated through laboratory experiments. The durability of the DHSBs was assessed through water absorption and abrasion tests. The 28-day compressive strengths of T-DHSBs and R-DHSBs were found to be 3.58 Mpa and 4.04 Mpa respectively and the water absorption values for T-DHSBs and R-DHSBs were 8.98% and 9.39% respectively. The losses of weight due to abrasion for T-DHSB and R-DHSBs were 0.056% and 0.051% respectively. The compressive strength and durability of the DHSBs were found to meet the specifications provided in NIS 87:2000 and BS 5628-1:2005 respectively.
Cite this paper
Arasa, F. O. , Onchiri, R. and Abiero-Gariy, Z. C. (2021). Experimental Investigation on the Compressive Strength and Durability Performance of Modified Dry-Stack Hollow Sandcrete Blocks. Open Access Library Journal, 8, e8216. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1108216.
Jonaitis, B. and Zavalis, R. (2013) Experimental Research of Hollow Concrete Block Masonry Stress Deformations. Procedia Engineering, 57, 473-478.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2013.04.061
Oyebisi, S.O., Afolayan, O.D., Oladeji, S. and Oniemayin, B.I. (2021) Assessing the Low-Cost Buildings in Nigeria Using Hydraform Blocks as Walling Materials: The Journey So Far. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1036, Article ID: 012044. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1036/1/012044
Ombiro, R.O. and Mbugua, J. (2018) Factors Influencing Use of Interlocking Red Bricks Technology in Housing Projects: A Case of Isiolo County, Kenya. University of Nairobi, Nairobi.
Sornchomkeaw, P. and Duangkeaw, S. (2014) The Study of Compressive Strength of Interlocking Brick by Using Bottom Ash Instead of Cement. American-Eurasian Network for Scientific Information Journals, 9, 12.
Vennila, R., Anuradha, R. and Kavitha, S. (2017) Compressive Strength on Interlocking Concrete Blocks with Acacia Nilotica Ash and Broken Tiles. International Journal of ChemTech Research, 10, 355-358.
Assiamah, S., Abeka, H. and Agyeman, S. (2016) Comparative Study of Interlocking and Sandcrete Blocks for Building Walling Systems. International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology, 5, 1-10.
Arasa, F.O., Onchiri, R. and Abiero-Gariy, Z.C. (2017) Effect of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash on the Engineering Properties of Blended Sandcrete Blocks. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 6, 327-337.
Kenya Bureau of Standards (2005) KS EAS 18-1: 2001-Cement Part 1: Composition, Specification and Conformity Criteria for Common Cements. Kenya Bureau of Standards, Nairobi.
Asiedu, E. and Agbenyega, A. (2014) Suitability of Laterite Fines as a Partial Replacement for Sand in the Production of Sandcrete Bricks Laterite Bricks. International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering, 4, 9-15.
Raheem, A.A., Falola, O.O. and Adeyeye, K.J. (2012) Production and Testing of Lateritic Interlocking Blocks. Journal of Construction in Developing Countries, 17, 35-50.
Ezeokonkwo, J.C. (2012) Optimisation of Cavity Size in Hollow Sandcrete Blocks. Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences, 3, 86-90.
Anowai S.I. and Afunanya, J.E. (2017) Millet Husk Ash as Partial Replacement of Cement in Sandcrete Block. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 4, 2-5.
Nwaigwe, D.N., Ogwu, E.A., Ugonna, M.C., Atakpu, O. and Edom, A. (2015) Evaluation of the Quality of Hand Moulded Sandcrete Block in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development Studies, 8, 252-259.
