Evaluation of Engineering Properties of Fired Cement Lateritic Brick

Abstract

The construction industry is really concerned with producing better and durable building materials. Hence, the high cost of conventional building materials have resulted into use of locally available materials. This study assess the effect of varying cement content on engineering properties of fired lateritic bricks. The lateritic soil samples were stabilized with cement at 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7 and 7.5%, cast in moulds and later fired for 8 hours at a 1000°C. Index properties (natural moisture content, specific gravity, particle size distribution and atterberg limit tests) were determined on the natural lateritic soil. While compressive strength, water absorption, abrasion and impact value test were determined on the cement fired bricks. The lateritic soil in its natural form were classified as A-6 and clay of high compressibility in accordance to ASTM D-3282. The results of the index properties are within acceptable limits for lateritic soil. The effect of varying cement content on the mechanical properties showed that the compressive strength of the bricks increases from 4.0 N/mm2 at control (un-stabilized brick) to 7.3 N/mm2 at 5% soil stabilization with cement. However, significant reductions in value was witnessed in the water absorption, abrasion and impact value results between the un-stabilized brick (control) and 5% cement fired bricks. The study concluded that fired bricks stabilized with 5% cement was found to be the best and most suitable for load and non-load bearing walls.