DEVELOPMENT OF TERMITE MOUND CLAY BRICKS FOR RURAL HOUSING

Ali S. Umara^1*, Baba Gana Makinta¹, Amina S. Gimba¹, Mohammed Umar¹

¹Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, 620221, Yobe State, Nigeria

*Corresponding author: alishettima2@gmail.com

Abstract

Bricks represent one of the most used materials for the construction of buildings, but rising demand of building materials and increased construction and demolition wastes have encouraged the development of new building material. Clay bricks remain the most widely used materials in the building and construction industries, due to their good qualities, low cost and versatility compared to other materials for building purposes. In this study, bricks were developed using termite mount soil. River Sand and White Portland cement were used as a stabilizing agent. Mix proportion of termite soil to sand of 5:2 ratio are considered. White Portland cement of 20% was used as replacement for Termite mound clay soil (TMCS). Preliminary test on the materials are performed in terms of Sieve Analysis, Bulk Density, Atterberg Limit and Compaction test. Water absorption, compressive strength, and thermal resistance of bricks were also determined. The thermal resistance of the brick specimen at different temperatures of 200°C, 400°C, 600°, 800°C and 1000°C are determined in electrical muffle furnace and samples are burnt for 1 hour. The outcome indicates that the brick can withstand temperature up to 1000ºC. The water absorption results show that that the bricks resistance to water penetration is satisfactory. The average results of compressive strength value of 1.88 N/mm² obtained at 21 days is greater than 1.6 N/mm² specified by ARS 682 (1996) Standard, this shows that the bricks are good for construction.

Keywords: Termite mount soil, Bricks, Liquid limit, plasticity index, compressive strength, water absorption, Thermal resistance