Strength properties of concrete using volcanic ash and

calcium oxide as admixtures

BY
MATHEW A. J.

SUBMITTED TO

THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING,IN PARTIAL , FULFILMENT OF THE AWARD

OF THE BACHELORS OF TECHNOLOGY(B-TECH)
IN BUILDING.

DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING, SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL

TECHNOLOGY.

FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, MINNA, NIGER

STATE.

For more information contact

Email-johnybiz07@yahoo.co.uk
Tel-+234(0)8051524039
 ABSTRACT
Pozzolanic materials have long demonstrated their effectiveness in
producing high performance concrete .This work evaluates the
potentials’ of volcanic ash(VA) and Quicklime as a total replacement for
ordinary Portland cement. This research work studied the suitability of
volcanic ash incorporated with quicklime for the construction of low
cost houses for the generality of the masses. The research work focuses
on the compressive strength of volcanic ash when CaO replaces the
volcanic ash at 20% and 30% replacement, and cured at 7,14,21 and 28
days respectively to determine the compressive strength. The
compressive strength of the volcanic ash concrete increased with curing
age and the maximum compressive strength was attained with 30%
replacement of volcanic ash with quick lime was 19.19N/mm2 at 28days
while the maximum compressive strength at 20% replacement of
volcanic ash with quicklime was 17.48N/mm .The setting time of
volcanic ash concrete was slower when compared to conventional OPC
concrete.The strength increases as the replacement of the volcanic ash
with calcium oxide increases.The specific gravity of volcanic ash was
found to be 3.04.while the bulk density was found to be 1394kg/m3 .The
slump ranges from 30mm-50mm in all the mix.
 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Volcanic activity is an event that has always been associated with
destruction and catastrophe. Volcano was named after the god of fire and
forge. This perception is gradually fading as researchers in Latin
America, Africa and Canada are investigating on how volcanic ash can
be used as a basic material for low cost housing.(Newton. 2002)
Portland cement the most common building materials is expensive
because of the large amount of energy involved in producing itthis is due
largely to the fact that, It must be fired at high temperature and the cost
of transportation is high.(Newton.2002)
Day (2005) in his research emphasized the need for a viable
alternative, since much of the population in developing countries lives in
inadequate housing. The prospect of reducing the cost hinges on
reducing the price of building materials.
The uses of volcanic ash in building dates back to thousands of
years ago(Encarta 2007).The pyramids of Shaanxi in china was built
using volcanic ash and lime as the binding agent. Archeological
evidence has also shown that some building erected in the era of roman
empire was constructed using a combination of quicklime, pozzolanic
ash and an aggregate made from pumice.(Encarta 2007)
 The properties of concrete has been altered since the roman and
Egyptian times, when it was discovered that adding volcanic ash to the
mix allowed it to set under water. Volcanic ash in addition to its natural
cementaceous properties serves the purposes of aggregates that fills the
voids between the fine sand aggregates and cement.(F.A.O Report 2005)
There are lots of materials which has the ability to act as a pasta for
building construction purposes(Powell 1984).The aggregate used in
construction are non cementacious solid particle, which are either
natural occurring or a by product of some industrial process(Varshey
1978)
Varshey further stated that the grading of aggregates is broadly
classified into fine and coarse aggregate; the fine aggregates is less than
5mm while the coarse aggregates is above 5mm.Water plays a
significant contribution on the workability and pumpability,when in
excess the compressive strength of the concrete could be adversely
affected(BS 1981).The grade of concrete is its characteristics strength
and it durability depends on the usage of adequate proportion of each of
the constituents in the concrete mix.
Concrete is the most important materials in construction work, its
selection is frequently governed by the strength required, which in turn
depends on the intensity of loading and the form and size of the
structural members (W.H. Mosely et al 1999).The strength of concrete is
assessed by measuring the crushing strength of cubes or cylinders of
concrete made from the mix.These are usually cured and tested after
twenty eight days according to standard procedures.

Experiment conducted Evuti(2006) and Hassan(2006) stipulated

that the major difference between cement and volcanic ash is that
volcanic ash has calcium oxide content of 11.6% while Portland cement
contains 66% calcium oxide content.These discrepancy in calcium oxide
content was responsible for the slow setting and low strength in volcanic
ash concrete.

Researches conducted by Day(2005) also confirm the calcium

oxide deficiencies,when he added one quarter of lime to volcanic ash,the
natural volcanic ash behaves like Portland cement.Pozzolana and lime
can be produced with much less sophisticated technology than Portland
cement, however it takes two to three times the volume of pozzolana
required to make a concrete with the same strength. The strength
normally improves with age since pozzolana reacts more slowly than
cement, and at one year about the same strength is obtained(Encarta
2007)

Evuti (2006) shows that calcium chloride addition to volcanic ash

boosted the lime content of volcanic ash, but the corrosive nature of
calcium chloride to reinforcement rods is the main reason for research
into an alternative admixtures that will increase the lime content without
corroding metals used as reinforcement.

Calcim oxide,CaO,is obtained by the thermal decomposition of

calcium trioxonitrate (IV).It is also known as quicklime or simply lime.It
is the most common ‘alternative’ binders to which other materials,
known as pozzolanas, can be added to enhance strength and water
resistance. Other binders such as gypsum, sulphur, bitumen, mud and
animal dung have also been used.Lime was known to the Greeks and
was widely used by the Romans. The Roman architect and engineer
Vitruvius published the first specification for the use of lime in building
in his celebrated work De Architectura. The Romans also knew how to
make a lime-pozzolana cement by adding materials such as volcanic ash
or powdered bricks, tiles and pottery to lime.
That lime is an appropriate and durable binding material,
especially when mixed with pozzolana, is well proven. The Pont du
Gard at Nimes in France, a Roman aqueduct built in AD 18 with
hydraulic lime-based mortar, is still waterproof; the excellence of the
mortar is attributed to the selection of the materials and to the time spent
tamping the mix into place during construction.(Encarta 2007)

The utilization of lime as an admixture has several advantages such

as; excellent resistance to water penetration, whilst allows vapour
penetration, high open porosity, high ductility to joint and massive
masonry, excellent plasticity and hydraulic properties. This inherent
properties of lime combines very well with pozzolanas such as volcanic
ash thereby facilitating Improved workability, Improved water
retention/reduced bleeding, Improved sulphate resistance .Improved
resistance to alkali – aggregate reaction, and Lower heat of
hydration(Magaret 2005)

1.1 AIM OF THE RESEARCH

To determine the strength properties of concrete produced with

volcanic ash and CaO as admixtures

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH

To determine the effect of addition of calcium oxide in the strength
of concrete obtained from volcanic ash

To correlate using statiscal means, the extent to which calcium

oxide can improve the strength of volcanic ash concrete

To make recommendation based on the findings of the research

work
1.3 SCOPE OF THE RESEARCH WORK
The research work will cover the use of calcium oxide at 20% and
30% replacement of the volcanic ash

1.4 NEED FOR THE RESEARCH

Portland cement, the most common building material, is expensive
because of the large amount of energy involved in producing it. It must
be fired at high temperatures and the transportation costs are high. The
need for a viable alternative is immense, since much of the population in
developing countries lives in inadequate housing. The prospect of
reducing the cost hinges on reducing the price of building materials.
Pozzolan cement made from volcanic ash is proving to be one answer.

1.5 METHODOLOGY OF THE RESEARCH

The methodology to be used for the work includes the followings

1) Review of related literatures
Casting of cubes 150 x 150 x 150mm containing the constituents
materials ( Aggregates, Volcanic ash and calcium oxide at 20% and 30%
replacement of volcanic ash and finally the curing of the cubes for 7,14,
21, and 28 days respectively. The crushing of the cubes for 7 , 14 , 21
and 28 days so as to determine the respective compressive strength of
specimen.

For more information contact

Email-johnybiz07@yahoo.co.uk
Tel-+234(0)8051524039