Water Quality Effect on Concrete Compressive Strength:

Ogunpa Stream Water Case Study

The study centred on the effect of water quality on concrete compressive strength
development with Ogunpa stream water as a case study. Two concrete mixes 1:1:2 and
1:1.5:3 with water / cement ratio of 0.6 were investigated. Water samples from two
sections of Ogunpa stream and University of Ibadan Water Treatment Plant (potable water)
were used to cast 288 concrete cubes. The cured cubes were crushed on day 7, 14, 21,
28, 56 and 84 for compressive strength estimation. The chemical constituents of the water
samples were determined in the laboratory. The results showed that the compressive
strength of concrete cubes made with potable water increased with days while those of
Ogunpa stream declined after 14 day of concreting. The chemical analyses revealed that
Ogunpa stream contained high concentrations of sodium Na, potassium K, chloride Cl-, and
carbonate CO3- amongst others which led to concrete strength reduction. Consequently,
proper water analysis should be encouraged before choosing water for concrete work.
Keywords: water analyses, potable water, stream water, compressive strength, concrete
mixes, concrete cubes.