Ibedu Kenneth

An increase in the consumption of agricultural products generates large quantities of waste daily. The husks of the locust bean seeds when removed from the plant are littered in the environment which negatively affects the environment. In this research, locust bean pod ash (LBPA) was used as a mineral filler in hot mix asphalt. Physical and chemical tests were done on the aggregate, bitumen and LBPA, showing adequacy for use in asphalt concrete production. All tests were conducted in accordance with relevant standards. LBPA was admixed with granite dust from 0-50% (at intervals of 10%) with varying bitumen content from 4-7% (at 0.5% intervals). For this experiment, the Marshall mix design method was used. The Marshall stability of samples containing LBPA improved by 19%, from 8.16kN to 9.67kN. Similarly, Marshall flow decreased by 19% from 3.4 mm to 2.75 mm. The density-void analysis of the asphalt samples also revealed an improvement. The microstructural examination revealed an enhanced structural arrangement due to the flocculation of the LBPA particles. Overall, the hot mix asphalt samples meet the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing specifications for flexible pavement-wearing courses. It was determined by the study that adding 40% LBPA with 60% granite dust at 5% bitumen content would improve the performance of hot mix asphalt.

In Nigeria there is abundance of plastic wastes within the environment especially polyethylene plastics, these waste polyethylene plastics poses a threat to the environment and ecosystem due to the non-biodegradability nature of these plastics and there is need to develop ways of tackling this menace. Additives have been successfully added to bitumen to improve the properties chiefly among these additives are polymer materials which led to the coinage of the name "Polymer Modified Bitumen" (PMB).This study focuses on the characterization and use of waste high density polyethylene (HDPE) to modify bitumen. The research examines the physical properties of 60/70 penetration grade bitumen modified with high density polyethylene (HDPE) at 2% to 10% (at interval of 2%). The physical test done on the unmodified and modified bitumen are penetration, ductility, softening point, flash and fire, specific gravity and ductility. For the characterization of HDPE and bitumen Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) was used. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry (EDS) was used for morphological and elemental composition analysis. All test was conducted in accordance with relevant standards. The FTIR results of the unmodified bitumen and HDPE showed the presence of aliphatic, aromatic and hydroxyl, methylene, aliphatic, methylene, carbonyl, alkyl, phenols, ether, alcohols, vinyl functional groups respectively. The results obtained from the physical properties test of bitumen showed a 13%, 7%, 5% and 3% reduction in the values of penetration, solubility, flash and fire point respectively. However an increase of 14%, 5% and 32% was recorded in values of ductility, softening point and specific gravity respectively. The study concludes that HDPE is a suitable polymer material for modification of bitumen.

This research examined the strength properties of hot mix asphalt (HMA) containing a blend of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and virgin aggregates with granite dust was replaced with coconut shell ash. Physical test was carried out on the RAP and virgin aggregates. Chemical and geometrical test was done on the coconut shell ash (CSA). All preliminary test conducted in accordance with relevant standards showed adequacy for use in production of HMA. Marshall method of mix design was adopted for the HMA production. Asphalt Institute blending charts was used to determine the quantity of RAP to be incorporated into the mixture. The bitumen content was varied from 4.5-7.5% (at intervals of 0.5%). The coconut shell ash was varied from 25% to 100% (at interval of 25%). A maximum stability of 6.8kN was recorded at 5% bitumen content which is a little increment in strength when compared to the maximum stability of 6.7kN obtained at the control. The microstructural analysis of the hot mix asphalt done on the optimum coconut shell ash replacement showed a rough surface texture needed in flexible pavement construction and when comparison is done between the control sample and optimum replacement samples, it shows an improvement in the interlocking arrangement of aggregates resulting in a denser mixture for the modified hot mix asphalt. The study recommends a blend of a 70% RAP and 30% virgin aggregates with 50% coconut shell ash at 5% bitumen content for an improved strength performance of HMA

There is no doubt that construction and building industries are the main energy and materials consumers of any country. In sustainable development, both the immediate and imminent needs are adequately taken into consideration. Sequel to the fact that concrete is weak in tension, reinforcement is inevitable to compensate for the deficiency. This paper purposes to comparing the flexural properties of concrete beams reinforced with bamboo strips and steel bars. Bamboo strips were found to be a close replacement to steel for lightweight constructions. This research consists of 100 x 100 x 450mm reinforced concrete beams with varying percentages of steel served as reference. Three beams were cast for each bamboo/Steel reinforcement ratio for each curing age making a total of Ninety-Six beams for flexural properties test. Three cubes were prepaid for every curing age summing up to Twenty-Four cubes for compressive test. The area of Bamboo reinforcement equivalent to steel was calculated via the equivalence of the force that could withstand the bending stresses which was also resisted by corresponding bamboo area. Steel stirrups were used to carter for shear in the beams. Flexural and compressive strengths at 7-, 14-, 21-and 28-days have been taken into consideration for comparison purpose. The graphs from the results were plotted and the suitability of bamboo reinforced beam was discoursed regarding the failure types. Results from the research reveal that bamboo can be used in lowcost constructions.

The versatility of concrete makes it the most desirable construction material in the construction industry. The increase in global population growth and urbanization leads to a high demand for more basic infrastructure. The high cost of concrete structures is largely influenced by cost of the constituent materials and it is an important constituent in the making of concrete There are other cementing materials which have shown the ability to improve the properties of concrete and also presents both environmental sustainability and economic benefits. For this study investigation into the suitability of using calcium carbide waste and metakaolin in concrete production, this investigation involves the replacement of cement with blend of calcium carbide waste and metakaolin in an increment of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%. Concrete cube containing CCW-MK was tested for strength at 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days of curing age. The optimum compressive strength was recorded at 10% CCW-MK content. 5% concentration of H2SO4 was used to cure the concrete for 28 days. Oxide composition test was done on the CCW and MK. The results revealed that CCW had a CaO content of 86.43% and MK had a sum of Al2O3, SiO2 and Fe2O3 as 98.6%. The workability of CCW-MK increases with increase as the dosage of CCW-MK increase. The compressive strength of CCW-MK concrete increased with an increase in the dosage of CCW-MK and curing period respectively. The retained compressive strength of CCWMK concrete cured in H2SO4 with an increase in the dosage of CCW-MK. Furthermore, the water absorption increases with an increase in the dosage of CCW-MK. Microstructural analysis of CCW-MK concrete was done with the aid scanning electron microscope equipment. The microstructure of the maximum compressive strength sample shows a denser, more homogenous and compact hardened concrete with respect to the control. It was concluded that blended concrete with sufficient strength can be achieved with the addition of CCW and MK blends can as supplementary cementing materials in concrete production.

This paper investigates the compressive strength and water absorption properties of cement-locust bean waste ash blend for latcrete block production. Locust bean waste was burned in the open air and later calcined at a temperature of 600°C for 3 hours to activate the amorphous content of the ash produced. The locust bean ash was used to replace cement at 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% by weight of cement in the production of 9" hollow latcrete blocks. A mix ratio of 1:6 was adopted in the block making. Various tests were carried out on the materials used for the block production to make sure it is up to the required standard. Compressive strength test and water absorption test were carried out on the latcrete blocks. The compressive strength result of the latcrete block with LBWA and the water absorption test conducted gave a promising enhancement after 28 days of curing. This research concludes that latcrete blocks with locust bean waste ash could be utilized in the construction industries for building purposes with better strength and durability properties.

One of the major agricultural wastes discarded from abattoirs in large quantities is the cow bone. Thus, there is need to find alternative means of promoting cleaner environment which is critical for environmental sustainability. This study aims to establish the viability of using cow bone ash and bentonite as partial replacement for cement improve the properties of concrete. Chemical composition examined on the CBA and BT showed that the materials have potential to serve as supplementary cementing material in concrete. In this study cement was partially replaced with cow bone ash and bentonite at 5% interval from 5 – 20%. Mix with 10% CBA/BT had the highest compressive strength across all curing ages. At 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56days 10% CBA/BT replacement recorded a 1, 49, 23, 14 and 8% increase in compressive strength respectively, similar flexural and split tensile strength examined also showed increase in strength. Water absorption test recorded a decrease in water absorption as the...