MODELING AND SIMULATION OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PULVERIZED COW BONE AND LATERITIC PAVING TILES

Abstract

This study included the experimental production and investigation of the mechanicalproperties of paving tiles produced from a mixture of laterite, silica sand, pulverized cow bones,and cement. Empirical models of compressive and flexural strength were also developed andherein presented for the paving tiles. The maximum compressive strength of the paving tiles wereobtained for 20, 15, and 10% cement content as 5.05, 5.05 and 3.08 MPa, while the maximumflexural strength for similar values of cement content were obtained as 1.83, 1.21 and 0.26 MParespectively. The results indicate that there was no noticeable difference in the values of thecompressive strength at 20 and 15% cement content, while a sharp reduction of the mechanicalproperties was experienced as the cement content reduces from 15 to 10%. Recommendedcomposition for paving tiles with pulverized cow bones composite is cement, 15%; pulverized cowbones, 30%; laterite 35% and silica sand, 20% respectively. Sustainable production of paving tilesand a sustainable environment can, therefore, be enhanced by replacing granite constituent withwaste cow bones, which can easily be replicated by the empirical models herein developed.