Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of Lateritic Brick for Better performance

The research considered the production of improved stabilized lateritic Bricks (ISLB) with enhanced mechanical properties. The research data were derived from laboratory experiments which include capillary test, erosion test, abrasion test, density test and compressive strength test. Three batches of 290mm x 140mm x 100mm brick samples were produced which are: the Adobe Unstabilized Lateritic Bricks (AULB), Improved Stabilized Lateritic Brick (ISLB) and the Control Stabilized Lateritic Bricks (CSLB). Brick stabilization was maintained at 5% by weight of cement. Compaction of the bricks were carried out manually; the moulded bricks were carefully extruded in good shape and placed on clean, hard flat surface to allowed to dry under normal atmospheric temperature and pressure . The ISLB was divided into four groups of 12 bricks samples immersed in solution of zycosil and water in the following proportion by volume: (1:100),(1:200),(1:300) and (1:400) for 30 minutes and dried under normal atmospheric temperature and pressure before curing commenced. The result of the capillary test on bricks samples after 24 hours showed that AULB and CSLB has (0.35 and 0.15)kg weight difference equivalent of (0.00599 and 0.00256) kg/m2/min suction rate while the ISLB have 0.05kg weight difference equivalent to 0.000855kg/m2/min suction rate. The result of erosion test for brick durability ranked between very firm for ISLB of 1:100, 1:200 and 1:300 Zycosil Water Solution (ZWS), firm for ISLB of 1:400 ZWS; firm for CSLB and loose for AULB. The abrasion test result showed that the ISLB have abrasion value of (1,2,2 and 2)% while the CSLB and AULB have (3 and 12)% abrasion value. The density of ISLB are (1933.50, 1921.18, 1916.26 and 1908.87) kgm-3 at 28 days while the density of CSLB and AULB were (1926.11 and 1800.49) kgm-3. Density results conform to minimum specification requirement for lateritic bricks of bulk density of 1810kgm-3 as recommended by the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI). Compressive strength test for the ISLB are (3.16, 3.10, 3.07 and 3.08) Nmm-2 at 28 days while the compressive strength test for CSLB and AULB stood at (3.15 and 2.41) Nm-2 which conforms to NBRRI recommended value of compressive strength ranges of (3 to 3.5) Nmm-2 at 5% stabilization level. It was concluded that the mechanical properties of improved stabilized lateritic brick are better than CSLB and AULB in terms of capillary rise, erosion, abrasion, density and compressive strength.