Effect of Guinea Corn Husk Ash on the Mechanical Properties of Lateritic Concrete

Abstract

Abstract Materials in Nigerian building construction are scaling great heights in prices, demanding every stakeholders in the industry to research into alternatives in indigenous materials and agricultural wastes for rural infrastructural development. This research was aimed at investigating the effects of guinea corn ash on mechanical properties of lateritic concrete as partial replacement for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The lateritic concrete was investigated for its workability, porosity, compressive strength and corrosion resistance at varying water-cement ratios with different percentages of Guinea Corn Husk Ash (GCHA). Central composite method was used to obtain an optimal combination that would give the highest compressive strength for the lateritic. The optimal combination was found to be 20% GCHA and 80% OPC at 0.51 water cement ratio. This combination gave a porosity of 14.59%, slump height of 2.75 mm and a compressive strength of 18.78 N/mm2. This is higher than the control compressive strength of 17.61 N/mm2 by 6.64% obtained at 0.7 water-cement ratio. Therefore, guinea corn husk ash can be used as a replacement for cement in lateritic concrete.