Abstract
This study investigates the use of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and lime in stabilizing lateritic soil for lateritic bricks production. Varying percentages (0, 2, 4 and 6%) of 1 M H3PO4, 5% lime and their combinations were mixed with lateritic soil for stabilization purpose. Hollow bricks were produced from the different mixes. The bricks were cured for 7, 14 and 28 days under ambient air condition. The compressive strength (fc), bulk density (pb), dry density (pd) and water absorption rate were determined at each of the curing days while the modulus of rupture (fr) and pH were determined after 28 days. The results show a maximum fc of 0.93 N/mm2 and 0.87 N/mm2 were obtained at 5% and 4% H3PO4 stabilization. The maximum pb and pd of 15.2 kN/m3 and 14.9 kN/m3 respectively were obtained at 4% H3PO4 stabilization. The maximum fr of 0.2 N/mm2 was obtained at combined 4% H3PO4 and 5% lime stabilization while none of the bricks passed the water absorption test.
Highlights
Bricks made from plain soils for centuries have been used in building mud house [1]
The results show that only the modulus of rupture at 4% H3PO4 and 5% lime stabilization exceeded 0.2 N/mm2
Phosphoric acid and lime both improved the compressive strength of the bricks
Summary
Bricks made from plain soils for centuries have been used in building mud house [1]. The most consistent of these soil types are laterites. In Nigeria and other tropical regions, lateritic soils are common and are used in construction such as production of bricks, sub base for road pavement among others. Heavy rainfall and elevated or warm temperature which are characteristics of tropical and subtropical regions, makes rock weathering intensive. This usually results in the rapid breakdown of feldspars and ferromagnesian minerals, the removal of silica and bases (Na2O, K2O, MgO) [2], and the concentration of iron and aluminum oxides [3]. This process of breakdown of feldspars and removal of silica is termed laterization [4] which involves the leaching of SiO2 and deposition of Fe2O3 and Al2O3
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