Characteristics of Stone-Base Laterized Concretes

Abstract

Stone-base, a material often used for base construction in flexible pavements, have in recent studies been shown to be suitable as an all – in – concreting aggregate. This study investigated the crushing, flexural and split tensile strengths as well as other mechanical properties of stone-base laterized concretes (SBLC). Normal river sand fine aggregate was partially replaced by laterite while the coarse aggregate proportion was made of stone base. Concrete mixes containing 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% and 0% replacement (by weight) of river sand with laterite and stone base as coarse aggregate were prepared. The workability of all fresh concrete mixes was determined using the slump test. Observed slumps ranged between 20 and 70mm and the maximum crushing strength of 23.6N/mm2 was produced by the specimen containing 25% laterite and 75% sand. All the strengths increased with the age of curing and the strengths were quite comparable with that of the control concrete which stood at 25.1N/mm2. A maximum density of 2329kg/m3 was recorded at 28 days curing. This density showed that stone-based laterized concretes are normal weight concretes and can be used for construction purposes.