Replacement of cement with corn cob ash for compressed stabilised earth blocks.

Abstract

Housing needs continue to be a real threat to a number of households in developing countries, this is a global challenge that has been (is being) tackled in a number of ways by improving affordable housing through research into cheaper technologies, cheaper building materials among others. Another global concern has been sustainable development with need to solve issues like climate change which rises from daily practices, that ought to be addressed. The construction industry has a role to play in these fights, by reducing emissions from the industry through substituting existing materials with more environmentally friendly ones, changing to newer technologies that are cost efficient and at the same time environmentally friendly. This research investigates replacement of cement with Corn Cob Ash (CCA) as the stabiliser in Interlocking Soil Stabilised Blocks. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was replaced by CCA in varying percentages of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%. The effect of CCA on compressive strength and water absorption were determined and compared accordingly. The findings showed that 5% OPC and 6% CCA produced maximum compressive strength (4.01Mpa) and water absorption (7.57%) at 28 days curing, which met the recommendations by UNBS and other building standards. Corn cob ash proves to be a promising material, with its pozzolanic nature after treatment appearing to be a solution both in tackling environmental issues and in adoption of cheap housing technologies.