CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1. Introduction

This chapter describes the tests and the results of experiments performed on the materials used in

this work. The tests were performed to determine the properties of the lightweight concrete at

both the fresh state and at the hardened state.

3.2. Flow chart of the experimental methodology

This chapter shows the progression of the research work and experiments carried out. The

materials used in this work are cement, sand, granite and recycled plastic. The experimental

methodology is summarized in Figure 3.1 below.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

SOURCING OF MATERIALS

CHARACTERIZATIONS
OF MATERIALS

MIX DESIGN PREPARATION

MIXING

CASTING

CURING

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES TEST

COMPRESSIVE SPLIT TENSILE

STRENGTH TEST STRENGTH TEST

Figure 3.1: The flow chart of the research work

As shown in the flow chart of experimental methodology in Figure 3.1, the stages involved in the

experimental work includes:

1. Sourcing for materials for the experiment and characterization of the materials to

determine its properties.

2. Preparation of mix design for the concrete.

3. Mixing, casting and curing of concrete samples

4. Determination of the mechanical properties of the concrete namely; splitting tensile

strength and compressive strength.

3.3 Materials

3.3.1 Cement: Portland limestone cement

Portland limestone cement manufactured by Dangote was used for this experiment. The cement

was of uniform grey colour, relatively smooth and free from any hard lumps and was purchased

from a local vendor manufactured. The cement was procured as packaged in 50Kg bags before

use. The physical properties tests were conducted in accordance with the British standards.

3.3.2 Fine aggregate

The fine aggregate (sand) was obtained from natural sand from Ede, Osun State. The tests

carried were specific gravity, moisture content and the particle size distribution analysis. These

tests were performed in accordance to British standards.

3.3.3 Coarse aggregate

The coarse aggregate with normal weight aggregate having nominal size of 20mm was used.

This was procured from Osun State. The tests carried out on the coarse aggregate includes the
specific gravity, particle size distribution, water absorption capacity. All these tests were

performed in accordance to the necessary standards.

3.3.4 Plastic aggregate

Waste polypropylene (PP) plastic, sourced from the environment and then shredded using the

shredder machine was used in this project to replace the coarse aggregate.

Plate 3.1: Plastic aggregate

3.3.5 Water

Potable water from the Adeleke University, Faculty of Engineering tap was used for the

experiment. The water obtained from the tap was free of impurities such as organic matter, acids

and chemicals.
3.4 Preparation of Samples

3.4.1 Mix Proportion

The mix ratio adopted was 1:2:4 (cement: fine aggregate: coarse aggregate) with recycled plastic

waste at 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25 % as by weight of the coarse aggregate in the concrete.

Water- cement ratio of 0.50 was maintained.

3.4.2 Mixing

Mixing was done over a relatively flat and smooth surface. The fine aggregate, coarse aggregate

and plastic aggregates was spread in alternate layer and the cement is then added and dry mixing

is first done with the aid of shovel until uniformity of color is obtained. Moderate amount of

water is added to the mixture and mixing continues till a uniform, homogeneous concrete is

obtained. The water added is such that is enough to get the just required consistency.

Plate 3.2: Dry mixing before addition of water

3.4.3 Casting procedure

Prior to the casting, all the molds (cube and cylinder) were cleaned, oiled and tightened properly

to prevent leakages. Wooden mold of dimensions 150mm X 150mm X 150mm was used for

casting the concrete cube while an improvised cylindrical mold of dimensions 100mm X 200mm

was used for casting the cylinder. After proper mixing of the concrete, workability test for the

fresh concrete was carried out using the slump cone and then the molds are filled with the

concrete in three layers and tamped 35 times with the tamping rod at each layer for the cubical

specimens and 30 times per layer for cylindrical specimens. The concrete specimens were left in

the molds for 24 hours. After 24 hours the samples were removed from the molds and then kept

in the curing tank containing clean water till the stipulated day of testing of mechanical and other

properties.

Plate 3.3: Slump cone test for workability Plate 3.4: Casting of samples
3.4.4 Curing

The concrete samples (cube and cylinder) were immersed into the curing tank after demolding,

in other to promote hydration, increase in strength, eliminate shrinkage and for the concrete to

absorb heat of hydration until the time for test. The concrete samples were cured for 7 days, 14

days, 21 days and 28days. The samples were weighed before testing using a weighing scale

machine and the densities were determined. Before testing, the specimens were removed from

the curing tank and left in the open air for some time to dry before crushing.

Plate 3.5: Concrete samples in the curing tank Plate 3.6: weighing of concrete sample
3.5 Mechanical Properties Test

3.5.1 Compressive Strength

The compressive strength of hardened cement is the most significant of all the properties and it

determines the characteristic strength of the concrete which represents the concrete resistance to

crushing load. The cured concrete cube is tested for compressive strength in the compression

testing machine and a compressive axial load is applied to the cube at a rate which is within a

prescribed range until failure occurs. Three samples were taken from each percentage

replacement and their compressive strength determined after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of curing in

clean water. The compressive strength is the average of the strengths of the three samples and is

obtained using the formula below:

P
σ= …………………………. (3.1)
A

Where σ =Compressive strength (N/mm²), P= Maximum load applied (N) and A= Area of the

load applied face (mm²)

Plate 3.7: Compressive strength test for concrete cube

3.5.2 Split tensile strength test

The tensile strength of the resultant mix is judged in terms of split tensile strength. For this,

cylindrical specimens of size 100 mm diameter × 200 mm height were cast. The test was

conducted at the end of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of curing and the average of three samples was

taken as the representative split tensile strength of the mix for each day.

2P
ƒct = …………. (3.2)
(πDL)

where ƒct = The split tensile strength, P = maximum load applied to the specimen (N), D = cross

sectional diameter of the specimen (mm) and L = length of the specimen (mm).

Plate 3.8: Split tensile test for cylindrical sample