Building and Environment, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 49-54, 1984 0360 1323/84 $3.00 + 0.

00
Printed in Great Britain ~ 1984 Pergamon Press Ltd

Effect of Grain Size on the Strength

Characteristics of Cement-stabilized
Lateritic Soils

FOLA LASISI*
A. M. O G U N J I D E *

Lateritic soils are readily available all over Nigeria and as such have attracted several research
studies in recent times, the obvious aim bein O its utilization in the construction industry. This paper
gives an account of the work done to further classify the usefulness and limitations of lateritic soils.
Cement was used as the stabilizer and the lateritic soils used were obtained from the Ifewara deposits
located about 10 km along lfe-lfewara Road. A sieve analysis of the sample was made. Five different
grain size ranges,from coarse to fine, were extracted from the samples. Cubes were moulded by mixin 9
each 9rain size range with cement infive different proportions, the optimum water/cement ratio of each
mix proportion being determined beforehand. The compressive strengths of the cubes were determined
after 7, 21, and 28 days of curing in water, respectively. It was established that the higher the
laterite/cement ratio, the lesser the compressive strength, and that the finer the grain size range, the
higher the compressive strength. Finally, it was observed that cubes made using laterite/cement mix
proportions I : 1 and 3 : 1 kept gaining strength with age while the others were losing strength.

INTRODUCTION were to determine the usefulness oflateritic and other local

soils in the building and allied industries. Investigations by
THE C O N S T R U C T I O N industry in Nigeria is presently
Brand and Hongsnoi [4], and Newill and Dowling I-8]
suffering a depression. The problems besetting it are
have shown that the properties of lateritic soils that will
numerous but of paramount importance is the
influence its rate and ease of mixing include: its degree of
unavailability or scarcity with the resultant increase in
fineness, density, relative density, particle shape, stickiness,
the cost of construction materials. Hence any means
chemical stability, and chemical composition. Ola [10]
or ways by which the cost of materials can be reduced
who worked on stabilized lateritic soils found that less than
would be a welcome help to the industry.
50~o of the cement requirement for the temperate zone soils
The basic and most utilized construction materials in
is required for efficient stabilization for road sub-grade
the building industry are the fine and coarse aggregates
work. Adepegba 1-1] considered the possibility of replacing
and cement as components in concrete. Over the years, the
sand in concrete with laterite with a view to utilizing this
availability of these materials has not been sufficient to
abundantly available natural resource in the building
meet the demand of the industry; this has necessitated the
search for materials capable of being utilized as substitutes industry. Lasisi [5] found that about 10~o of cement will be
needed to stabilize lateritic soils to produce blocks of the
for cement and/or decrease the quantity of cement.
same order of magnitude of strength as for sandcrete
Laterite is a material that has been used in the building
blocks for use as masonry units in building construction.
construction industry for a very long time. But there is a
The methods of testing of sandcrete blocks appraised by
lack of adequate data to fully understand the behaviour of
Uzomaka [12] have been used as a part of provisions in the
this essential material for effective utilization.
Nigerian Standard Organization draft code for testing of
Lateritic soils are found extensively all over Nigeria and,
some physical properties of sandcrete blocks. Mesida I-7]
for that matter, all over the tropical regions of the world.
established that lateritic soils in Okitipupa area of Ondo
They are essentially products of tropical or subtropical
State need only 10-12~o cement for stabilization to become
weathering usually found in areas where natural drainage
is impeded. It is believed that laterite, properly utilized in reliable for building purposes. Okunnu 1-9], who also
worked on stabilized lateritic soils, discovered that
conjunction with stabilizing materials, would make a
stabilized lateritic soils can compare favourably with
suitable construction material not only in buildings but
also in road construction. cement-sand mix. He further reported that the
compressive strength of sandcrete blocks increased with
the curing time. Osunade [11] was the first to study the
P R E V I O U S WORK effect of grain size on the strength of cubes made from
lateritic soils. He discovered that the finer the grain sizes,
Some interesting studies have been carried out in the the higher the compressive strength. Balogun 1-3] also
field oflaterite technology in the recent past. All the efforts considered the possibility of replacing sand in concrete
with laterite. Aderibigbe et al. [2], working on some local
* Faculty of Technology, University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. lateritic soils in the Lagos area, contended that stabilized

BAE 19:1 D
49
50 F. L a s i s i a n d A. M . 0 9 u n j i d e

80.0
6RADIN6 BANDS
' r [
7:7 ! I i
i I

700 f 1
J/H i/ .... / ,~ 60.0 ! I l
- - - 7 - -

i :~ 5o.o
e..
~0.0
C i
I

to
~ 30.o
i
! i
b ~57 ~ j

20.0

0.01 0.1
S/EVE OPENIN5
70
(ram)
I0
t
silt fraction ~- ~- sond frochon < ~ grove/ froction 0.0
t.O 2.0 3.0
Fig. 1. Sieve analysis of soil sample. WATER/EEMENT RATIO ( BY WEIGHT )

Table 2. Compressive strength for different water/cement ratios

soils are capable of being used in many areas of building
construction, i.e. as load-bearing walls, partition walls, etc.
A recent study on unstabilized soils samples by Lasisi and
Osunade [61 has shown that separation of lateritic soils
into grain size ranges could produce some improvement in
the strength properties. It was also discovered that the
source of the lateritic soils was a significant factor. All these
studies have been generally geared towards the attainment
of results that will enable proper utilization of the
abundantly available material, laterite.
and laterite/cement proportions
To this end the optimum water/cement ratio by weight of
each mix proportion was determined by employing the
procedure adopted by Aderibigbe et al. I-2] in their study.
The results are shown in Table 1 with the plot in Fig. 2.
Cubes were moulded for each grain size range using each
mix proportion, 100 mm cube moulds were used. They
were filled in three layers, each layer being compacted with
a tamping rod at the rate of at least 18 blows for sufficient

METHODOLOGY
Sieve analysis of the samples oflateritic soil showed that Table 2. Compressive strength for different water/cement ratios
and laterite/cement proportions
it was a well graded soil with a uniformity coefficient of
3.76. The particle size distribution is shown in Fig. 1. Five Laterite/ Water/ 7-day 14-day
different grain size ranges were then extracted from the cement cement strength strength
sample corresponding to retained quantities between sieve proportion ratio (N/ram z) (N/mm 2)
openings (0.425, 0.850); (0.850, 1.18); (1.18, 2.35); (2.35,
1: 1 0.3 4.10 5.23
3.35) ; (3.35, 4.75) ; all in millimeters. The selection of the 0.4 6.50 8.27
grain size ranges was controlled primarily by available 0.5 7.31 9.33
sieves and attempts to retain approximately 15~o of the 0.6 7.00 8.90
sample in each range. 0.7 4.43 5.63
It was decided that the following laterite/cement mix 3: 1 0.6 1.03 1.30
proportions by volume would be used: 1 : 1, 3 : 1, 5 : 1, 8 : 1 0.8 2.97 3.71
0.9 3.10 3.93
and 10 : 1. These proportions were related to two primary
1.0 3.20 4.03
uses envisaged, that is: 1.2 2.80 3.53
(i) damp-proof course, and 5:1 1.1 2.07 2.53
(ii) the usual solid or hollow load-bearing wall and 1.3 2.13 2.60
1.5 2.60 3.17
partition wall masonry units. 1.7 2.00 2.43
1.9 1.57 1.91
Table 1. Optimum water/cement ratio for different laterite/ 8:1 2.1 2.05 2.27
cement proportions 2.3 2.15 2.44
2.4 1.95 2.17
Laterite/cement Optimum water/cement 2.5 1.80 1.97
proportion (by volume) ratio (by weight) 2.7 1.63 1.78
1:1 0.5 10 : 1 2.6 1.33 1.57
3:1 1.0 2.8 1.63 1.73
5:1 1.5 2.9 1.37 1.47
8:1 2.3 3.0 1.20 1.30
10 : 1 2.8 3.2 1.17 1.27
 S t r e n g t h C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f C e m e n t - s t a b i l i z e d L a t e r i t i c Soils 51

Table 3. Compressive strengths for different grain size ranges

~lt,.O I
Grain Laterite/ 7-day 21-day 28-day
size range cement strength strength strength
Zone (mm) ratio (N/mm 2) (N/mm 2) (N/mm 2)
Y= - 0. 9 ~ 3 8 5 x
I 0.4254).850 1: 1
3: 1
5:1
13.40
4.03
2.77
14.10
4.37
2.33
15.57
4.77
2.17
~ ~oo - --
r= 0.999 I
/
8: 1
10:1
1.97
1.77
1.57
0.97
1.30
0.93
~ 8.0
J
II 0.850-1.18 1: 1
3:1
5:1
12.10
3.70
2.57
12.57
4.83
2.13
13.63
5.23
1.90
~ 6.o /
8:1 1.93 1.23 1.07
10: 1 1.07 0.67 0.60
III 1.18-2.35 1: 1 10.80 12.97 14.40
2.0
3:1 3.80 3.73 4.13
5: 1
8: 1
2.33
1.67
1.87
1.33
1.70
1.07 /
10:1 0.83 0.73 0.63 0.0 1.0 20 3.0
OPT~MUM WATER~CEMENTRATIO (x ) (BY WEIGHT)
IV 2.85-3.35 1: 1 8.50 10.20 11.20
3:1 2.77 3.57 3.87 Fig. 3. Plot of optimum water/cement ratio as a function of
5:1 2.13 1.23 1.03 laterite/cement ratio.
8: 1 1.57 0.73 0.50
10:1 0.73 0.43 0.30
V 3.35-4.75 1: 1 7.40 8.87 9.73
3: 1 2.63 3.33 3.70 (ii) There is a gradual drop in compressive strength as the
5: 1 1.47 1.07 0.80 lateriate/cement ratio increases. Furthermore, it can
8: 1 1.33 0.53 0.33 be seen that the rate of increase in strength with
10:1 0.63 0.33 0.20
decreasing grain sizes decreases as the laterite/cement
ratio increases. This is because the amount of
stabilizing cement decreases as the laterite/cement
ratio increases.
compaction. The cubes were water cured and their
Figures 7 and 8 show the strength development with age
compressive strengths determined after 7, 21, and 28 days
for the various laterite/cement mixes for all the grain size
with at least three specimens in each group. The cubes were
ranges considered. The data shows that for all grain size
crushed using a 600KN Avery-Denison Universal Testing
ranges there is a gain with age, in compressive strength for
Machine. The summary of results is shown in Tables 2
laterite/cement mixes 1 : 1 and 3 : 1, and a loss of strength
and 3.
with age, for the other mix ratios. Osunade [11] in his
study of grain sizes on the strength characteristics oflateri-
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION tic blocks recorded a loss of strength, with age, for one of
OF RESULTS the lateritic soils he studied, hence, a loss of strength with
age for a particular grain size is not an abnormal occur-
The plot of the optimum water/cement ratio as a
rence. In this instance, this behaviour pattern has been al-
function of the laterite/cement ratio is shown in Fig. 3. It
tered by the introduction of cement. Thus laterite/cement
revealed that for the sample used, there exists a linear
mixes 1:1 and 3:1 were gaining strength with age in
relationship between the optimum water/cement ratio and
that they contained sufficient quantity of cement to
the laterite/cement ratio. The corresponding regression
bring about a reversal of this pattern. The other mixes how-
equation is
ever did not have enough cement to alter the pattern, so
y = - 0.9 + 3.85x, they continue to lose strength with age.
A comparison of the compressive strength, obtained for
with a correlation coefficient of 0.999.
the various grain sizes and mix proportions (Table 3) with a
In Table 3 is shown the compressive strengths at the
table of British Statutory [2] M i n i m u m Compressive
designated age of the cubes made from each grain size
Strength of Bricks for Various Walls (Table 4), shows that
range. The plots of this are shown in Figs 4-8. Figure 4 is a
most of the cubes made using laterite/cement mixes 1 : 1
plot of the 7-day compressive strength as a function of
and 3 : 1 are capable of being utilized as load-bearing walls
grain sizes. Figures 5 and 6 show that of the 21-day and 28-
and in several other capacities. The minimum strength
day compressive strengths respectively. These three curves
required for standard blocks [13] by the Nigerian
have the same general form from which the following
specification of 2.0 N / m m 2 over the gross area is also met
principal observations can be made :
by 3 : 1 laterite/cement mix ratio. The aspect of ratio factor
(i) The compressive strength increases as the grain size has not been taken account of but will be expected to be
decreases. This is in agreement with the outcome of significant. It should also be noted that before a direct
Osunade's work in 1981. He attributed this behaviour recommendation can be made on the use ofsuch blocks for
to the increment in the cohesion forces binding the construction, a cost/benefit comparison study has to be
soil particles as they get finer. made between lateritic blocks made this way with specific
52 F. Lasisi and A. M. Ogunjide

T6.0

LATERITE /CEMENT RATIO

I I ?:7
76.0
P--.--.-I 3:1
- - .-4 5:?

12.0 t-- . . . . -I lO:l

70.0
-....

8.0
----L

6-0

I.. 0 ~. . . . . -4

~ '-
o - -t: '

I
t I

0.0 7.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0

•RAIN SlZE_~ ( r a m )

Fig. 4. 7-Day compressive strength as a function of grain size ranges.

16.0
LATERITE/EENENT RATIO
I 17:?
I I--.--.-~3,7
P- -- --4 5:1

i P--..----t 8:?
I- . . . . --I 10:7
!
I
i t
1o.o t g

Ck

!
I

20 ..... _i
0.0 ro 2.0 30 t,.O 50
6RAIN 51ZE5 (ram)

Fig. 5. 21-Day compressive strength as a function of grain size ranges.

 Strength Characteristics of Cement-stabilized Lateritic Soils 53

16.0
h "~ ! LATERITE/CEMENT RATIO

l~,.O
\ F--- I
I
~
I 1:1
"--"-~ 3: I
l ~ ~w..l I- -- "~ 5 :1
I---..~18:1
I-- .....4 10:1
120

70.C

~ 8.0

~ ~.~ !
"1

P ",-,,-L
~ ~.o

_ . . . . . -I I

0.0 1.0 3.0 t..O 0

GRAIN SIZES (ram)
Fig. 6. 28-Day compressive strength as a function of grain size ranges.

grain size ranges and those made without the segregation 12.0
of grain sizes to determine the best of the two.
10.0 .Jl.. ~ "
J
CONCLUSIONS J
8.0
It can be concluded from this study of the effects of grain Groin sire range 5ym~l
size on the strength characteristics of cement-stabilized 6.0
2-35 -3.35 o-----0
laterite, specifically Ifewara laterite, that : ,~ 3.35-t*.75 ~- - ' ~
I
(i) The compressive strength is inversely proportional to ~ ~0
the grain size, i.e. the finer the grains the greater the
strength. ~" 2.0
(ii) The laterite/cement mix proportion at, and below,
which cubes made from any particular grain size
range would gain strength with age is 3 : 1. 0 5 10 75 20 25 30 35
A6E IN DAYS

!6.0
Fig. 8. Strength development with age for different laterite/
/...o] cement mixes.

11,..0
o.~-~...~ 1:1
l J Table 4. British Statutory Minimum Compressive Strength of
0--
-J Bricks for Various Walls [21
12.0 / Grain size range Symbol
~..~ I
0.425- 0.850 o-.---o Minimum
O. 850 - 1.180 a - - ..~ compressive
" ~ 10-0 I. 180-2.350 ~.-....-0 strength
of bricks
Regulations (N/mm 2)
s.o

(a) Building Regulations 1976

6-0 Load-beating walls for:
(i) One and two storey houses
and storey houses divided
~ t,.O into flats. 2.75
(ii) Any other building (solid) 10.00
~.-~'-- c~ ~0 (iii) Any other building (hollow) 5.00
2.0 ~ ~ ___..___~ ....
(b) GLC Construction By-laws 1972
I (i) Load-bearing walls 7.00
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 (ii) Non-load-beating walls
AGE IN DAYS (external) 2.75
(iii) Non-load-beating walls
Fig. 7. Strength development with age for different laterite/ (internal) 1.50
cement mixes.
54 F. L a s i s i a n d A. M . O g u n j i d e

(iii) Subject to further studies, cubes made from specific
grain size range using laterite/cement mixes 1 : 1 and
3 : 1 are best capable of being utilized in the building
industry but may be rather expensive. D a m p - p r o o f
course usage will be satisfactory as the mix ratio of 1 : 1
is used as standard. The more economical mixes of
5 : 1 and above have exhibited loss of strength with age
for all grain size ranges.
(iv) Generally, for stabilized lateritic soils, the com-
pressive strength decreases as the laterite/
cement ratio increases.

REFERENCES
1. D. Adepegba, A comparative study of normal concrete with concrete which contained laterite fines
instead of sand. Bldg Sci. 10, 135-141 (1975).
2. D.A. Aderibigbe, T. A. I. Akeju and C. O. Orangun, Determination of optimum water/cement ratio for
some local clay soils. Paper presented at Materials of Construction Conference, February 1983, Federal
Ministry of Works, Ikoyi (1983).
3. L.A. Balogun, The use oflateritic soils in structural concrete. Proc. 1st Nat. Conf., Nigerian Geotechnical
Association, Lagos, Nigeria (1982).
4. E.W. Brand and M. Hongsnoi, Effects of method of preparation on compaction and strength
characteristics of lateritic soils. Proc. Special Session on Engineering Properties of Lateritic Soils,
Bangkok, Thailand, August, 1968. 1,107-116 (1969).
5. F. Lasisi, Masonry units for low-income housing from cement stabilized lateritic soils. Proc. Int. Conf. on
Low-Income Housing Technology and Policy, Thailand. 2, 1037-1046 (1977).
6. F. Lasisi and J. A. Osunade, Effect of grain size on the strength of cubes from lateritic soils. Bldg Envir.,
in press.
7. E.A. Mesida, Soil stabilization for housing in Okitipupa area, Ondo State, Nigeria. Occasional Research
Papers, Department of Geology, University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (1978).
8. D. Newill and J. W. F. Dowling, Laterites in Western Malaysia and Northern Nigeria. Proc. Special Conf.
Engng Properties of Lateritic Soils, August 1969, Bangkok, Thailand. 2, 133-150 (1970).
9. K.O. Okunnu, Studies ofsandcrete/landcrete blocks in building technology. Student Independent Study
Project, Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (1980).
10. S.A. Ola, Need for estimated cement requirements for stabilizing lateritic soils. Proc. Transportation
Engng Division J. Am. Soc. Cir. Engrs (TE2) 100, 279 388 (1974).
11. J.A. Osunade, Effects of grain size on the strength of blocks from lateritic soils. Independent Research
Project, Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Ife, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (1981).
12. O.J. Uzomaka, An appraisal of methods of testing some physical properties of sandcrete blocks. Proc.
lnsm. Cir. Engrs, Part 2, September 1977.63, 625-639 (1977).
13. Nigerian Standards Organization. Specification for Sandcrete Blocks, Nigerian Industrial Standard,
Lagos, p. I1 (1975).