Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of the compressive strength of concrete cubes containing termite mound soil. The specimens were cast using M20 grade of concrete. Two mix ratios for replacement of sand and cement are of 1:1.7:2.7 and 1:1.5:2.5 (cement: sand: aggregate) with water- cement ratio of 0.45 and varying combination of termite mound soil in equal amount ranging from 30% and 40% replacing fine aggregate (sand) and cement from 10%,15%,20% were used. A total of 27 cubes, 18 cylinders and 6 beams were cast by replacing fine aggregate, specimens were cured in water for 7,14 and 28 days. The test results showed that the compressive strength of the concrete cubes increases with age and decreases with increasing percentage replacement of cement and increases with increasing the replacement of sand with termite mound soil cured in water. The study concluded that termite mound cement concrete is adequate to use for construction purposes in natural environment.

Keywords

Termite, Water cement ratio, Mix ratio, Compressive strength, Split tensile strength, Flexural strength,

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