Properties of Cement Stabilized Termite Mound Building Blocks

Abstract

This study examines the strength, erosion and water absorption properties of cement stabilized compressed termite mound building blocks. Fifty-four 240mm X 110mm X 100mm blocks were produced. The blocks were mounded and stabilized with varying percentage of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), ratio of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% respectively. All the blocks were cured for a total of 21 days in which the bricks in the first seven days after production were covered with polyethylene bags to allow complete hydration process of the binders and afterwards were uncovered and allowed to dry for another 14 days. The compressive strength of the stabilized termite hill soil blocks ranged from 2. 01 to 3. 86N/mm2 and the corresponding density ranged between 1970kg/m3 to 1826kg/m3. The washability of the blocks ranges from high (grade 5) to slightly weak (grade 2) resistance to erosion. The result of this research indicates that the use of OPC below 4% does not satisfy the NIS standard for building block. However, encouraging results were obtained from stabilization mix proportion from 4% onwards, having compressive strength of 2.67N/mm2 at 4% cement and 96% termite mound soil, which conforms to the recommended value of the Nigerian Industrial Standard and it possess a high washsbility, (grade 4).