INFLUENCE OF ELEVATED TEMPERATURE ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

AND COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE CONTAINING LATERITE AS

PARTIAL FINE AGGREGATE REPLACEMENT

FATIN AJEERAH BINTI MAD DIN

Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for award of the degree of

Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Hons)

Faculty of Civil Engineering & Earth Resources

UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG

JULY 2015

v

ABSTRACT

Negative impact of sand mining includes erosion, loss of biodiversity, and soil

contamination by chemicals from mining processes also one reason why laterite is being

used as replacement. The impact of temperature rise on mass loss, compressive strength,

and physical appearance on performance of concrete containing various percentage of

laterite replacement has been investigated. Depletion of fine sand aggregate has led to

production of concrete containing laterite as partial fine aggregate replacement. Laterite

concrete can be used for structures such as buildings and also special structures for

special purposes. The behaviour of laterite concrete upon fire outbreak is important to

be known. In this study, the physical properties and compressive strength of concrete

containing laterite aggregate as partial fine aggregate replacement has been carried out.

Two types of mix have been used in this experimental work that is plain concrete

(control specimen) and laterite concrete of various percentage of laterite aggregate. All

the specimen were water cured for 28 day before testing. The specimens were exposed

to a range of temperature beginning from 28°C until 800°C. Water cooling method was

used to cool down the specimen after exposed to subjected temperature. It was found

that the mass loss and compressive strength of the concrete decreased as the temperature

increase. From the results, the strength of laterite concrete with 20% replacement of fine

aggregate is better than plain concrete.

vi

ABSTRAK

Kesan negatif perlombongan pasir termasuk hakisan, kehilangan biodiversiti dan

pencemaran tanah oleh bahan kimia daripada proses perlombongan juga salah satu

sebab mengapa laterit digunakan sebagai gantian. Kesan kenaikan suhu pada kehilangan

jisim, kekuatan mampatan, dan penampilan fizikal ke atas prestasi konkrit yang

mengandungi pelbagai peratusan penggantian laterit telah diuji. Susutan pasir agregat

halus telah membawa kepada pengeluaran konkrit yang mengandungi laterit sebagai

sebahagian penggantian agregat halus. Konkrit laterit boleh digunakan untuk struktur

seperti bangunan dan struktur khas untuk tujuan khas. Sifat konkrit laterit apabila

terdedah kepada suhu tinggi penting untuk diketahui. Dalam kajian ini, sifat fizikal dan

kekuatan konkrit laterit yang mengandungi batu laterit sebagai pengganti agregat halus

separa di dalam konkrit telah dijalankan. Dua jenis campuran telah digunakan dalam

kerja-kerja eksperimen ini iaitu konkrit biasa (spesimen kawalan) dan konkrit laterit

pelbagai peratusan agregat laterit. Semua spesimen diawet dalam air selama 28 hari

sebelum diuji. Spesimen telah terdedah kepada pelbagai suhu bermula dari 28°C hingga

800°C. Kaedah penyejukan air digunakan untuk menyejukkan spesimen selepas

terdedah kepada suhu tertakluk. Didapati bahawa kehilangan jisim dan kekuatan

mampatan konkrit menurun apabila suhu meningkat. Daripada keputusan, kekuatan

konkrit laterit dengan penggantian 20% daripada agregat halus adalah lebih baik

daripada konkrit biasa.

vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE

SUPERVISOR’S DECLARATION ii

STUDENTS’S DECLARATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv

ABSTRACT v

ABSTRAK vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS vii

LIST OF TABLES x

LIST OF FIGURES xi

LIST OF SYMBOLS xiii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xiv

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Problem statement 2

1.3 Objectives 2

1.4 Scope of study 3

1.5 Significance of research 3

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction 4

2.2 Laterite rock 5

2.2.1 Properties of laterite rock 5

2.2.2 Availibility in the world 8

2.3.3 Use of laterite in construction industry 9

2.3 Effect of elevated temperature on normal concrete 13

2.3.1 Compressive strength 13

viii

2.3.2 Mass loss 16

2.3.3 Physical changes 18

2.4 Factors influencing the resistance of concrete towards

elevated temperature 20

CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction 22

3.2 Materials for concrete preparation 22

3.2.1 Ordinary Portland cement 22

3.2.2 Coarse aggregate 23

3.2.3 Fine laterite aggregate 24

3.2.4 Sand 25

3.2.5 Water 27

3.2.6 Superplasticizer 27

3.3 Experimental programme 29

3.4 Concrete mix proportion 30

3.5 Concrete preparation 30

3.7 Testing procedure 31

3.7.1 Exposure to elevated temperature test 31

3.7.2 Compressive strength 33

CHAPTER 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Introduction 34

4.2 Impact of temperature rise on physical appearance of

concrete 34

4.2.1 Impact of temperature rise on discolouration 34

4.2.2 Impact of temperature rise on cracks 40

4.3 Impact of temperature rise on mass and compressive strength

of concrete 44

4.3.1 Impact of temperature rise on concrete mass 44

ix

4.3.2 Impact of temperature on compressive strength of

concrete 45

CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

FOR FUTURE STUDY

5.1 Introduction 52

5.2 Brief conclusion 52

5.2.1 The impact of temperature rise on physical

appearance of concrete containing laterite as

partial fine aggregate replacement 52

5.2.2 The impact of temperature rise on mass and

compressive stength of concrete containing laterite

as partial fine aggregate replacement 53

5.3 Recommendations 54

REFERENCES 55

x

LIST OF TABLES

Table No. Title Page

2.1 Properties of laterite rock and granite 6

2.2 Major element analysis of laterites 7

2.3 Average weights of specimens (kg) after heating at

different temperatures 17

2.4 Change in concrete as function of temperature 19

2.5 Physical effects of temperatures on concrete 20

3.1 Sieve analysis of laterite 24

3.2 Sieve analysis of sand 26

3.3 Physical and chemical properties of Rheobuild 1100 (HG) 28

3.4 Composition / Information on ingredients 29

3.5 Concrete mix proportion 30

xi

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No. Title Page

2.1 Laterite soil 5

2.2 Maps of lateritic soil 9

2.3 Laterite bricks 10

2.4 Laterite bricks 10

2.5 Laterite concrete wall 11

2.6 Laterite coarse aggregates 12

2.7 Lateritic road 13

2.8 Variation of compressive strength with cement content 14

2.9 Variation of relative compressive strength of normal

strength concrete as a function of temperature 15

2.10 Variation in mass of concrete with different aggregate

as a function of temperatures 16

2.11 Variation of specimen weight with temperature for

various values of laterite content at 7 and 28 days 17

2.12 Spalling of concrete 18

2.13 Cracking on concrete 19

3.1 Grain size distribution of laterite 24

3.2 Fine laterite aggregate 25

3.3 River sand 25

3.4 Grain size distribution of sand 26

3.5 Heat treatment furnace 32

3.6 Water cooling method 32

4.1 PC and LC at 28°C 35

4.2 PC and LC at 100°C 36

4.3 PC and LC at 300°C 37

4.4 PC and LC at 500°C 38

4.5 PC and LC at 800°C 39

4.6 Crack of PC and LC on 300°C 41

4.7 Crack of PC and LC on 500°C 42

4.8 Crack of PC and LC on 800°C 43

xii

4.9 Effect of elevated temperature on mass loss of PC

and LC after heating 44

4.10 Impact of temperature on compressive strength of

plain and laterite concretes 45

4.11 Effect of compressive strength on plain (0%) and laterite

concretes (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) at 28°C 47

4.12 Effect of compressive strength on plain and laterite

concretes at 100°C 48

4.13 Effect of compressive strength on plain (0%) and laterite

concretes (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) at 300°C 49

4.14 Effect of compressive strength on plain (0%) and laterite

concretes (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) at 500°C 50

4.15 Effect of compressive strength on plain (0%) and laterite

concretes (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) at 800°C 51

xiii

LIST OF SYMBOLS

% Percent

MPa Megapascal

°C Degree celcius

mm Millimetre

fc Compressive strength in MPa (N/mm2)

F Maximum load at failure

Ac Cross-sectional area of the specimen

N/mm2 Newton per millimetre square

xiv

LIST OF ABBREVIATION

OPC Ordinary Portland cement

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials

BS British Standard

DOE Department of Environmental

PC Plain concrete

LC Laterite concrete

LC20 Laterite concrete with 20% replacement

LC40 Laterite concrete with 40% replacement

LC60 Laterite concrete with 60% replacement

LC80 Laterite concrete with 80% replacement

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Concrete is a material that widely used in the construction as a primary materials

for buildings and also special structures for special purposes, such as nuclear reactors or

chimneys. It is possibly exposed to an unexpected fire of extreme temperatures. As the

concrete had been used for a special purpose, there is increasing of risk of exposing it to

a high temperatures. The physical properties such as colour and mechanical properties

such as strength and performance must have some changes. The chemical composition

of the concrete also change considerably. The strength of concrete reduce with

increasing of temperature and rate of strength loss is influenced by compressive strength

of the concrete.

Generally, concrete may provides the best resistance properties towards fire of

any building materials. This good resistance is due to materials of concrete used which

when they react with fire, the materials will has high heat capacity, low thermal

conductivity, and also has low strength degradation with temperature. This low rate of

heat transfer and loss of strength will enables the concrete to act as an effective fire

resistance to protect itself from damage of fire and also between adjacent spaces. When

a high temperature is subjected to a concrete structure, for example a building on fire, it

is necessary and required that the people inside the building can leave safely before the

structure of the building collapse.

2

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Depletion of natural fine aggregate has lead to production of concrete containing

laterite sand as partial fine aggregate replacement. Laterite sand can be used as partial

fine aggregate replacement in concrete. However, the effect of using laterite aggregate

as partial fine aggregate replacement towards fire resistance is unknown. In this project,

laterite rock is used as a partial fine aggregate replacement in concrete to see what will

happen on physical and compressive strength properties when the concrete is subjected

to an elevated temperature.

1.3 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this project is :

i. To study the effect of elevated temperature on physical properties of concrete

containing laterite rock as partial fine aggregate replacement.

ii. To identify the compressive strength properties of the concrete containing

laterite rock as partial fine aggregate replacement.

3

1.4 SCOPE OF STUDY

To reach the objectives of this project, several analysis and testing were carried

out in the laboratory to get the results. Variables of this project are temperatures and

contents of laterite rocks used as partial fine aggregate. Two types of mix have been

used that is plain concrete and laterite concrete of various percentage of laterite

aggregate. The samples size about 150 x 150 x 150 mm were heated in the oven with

different elevated temperatures from 28°C to 800°C for one hour. The changes in

properties of samples for every temparatures were identify. Water cooling method were

used to cool down the specimen after heating in the furnace.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH

Concrete have a high probability to expose to an extreme or very elevated

temperatures. The properties and behavior or the concrete at elevated temperatures also

important to predict the safety of a building in particular conditions. The performance of

laterite concrete elements used in a building such as columns, beams, and slabs that

subjected to high temperatures would be known. This is why it is important to

understand the effect of elevated temperatures on physical and compressive strength

properties of the concrete containing laterite aggregate.

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The use of laterite as partial fine aggregate replacement in concrete production is

because of the decreasing in the amount of natural sand. The effect of heat by elevated

temperature on concrete is influenced by a few causes such as materials used and

thermal properties. There are various properties of concrete that can be discussed. At

elevated temperature, the compressive strength of concrete also depends on water-

cement ratio, type and size of aggregate, admixtures used, and also curing method.

Laterite concrete is one of the fine aggregate content that has been substituted

whether partially or wholly with laterite soil it natural form (Salau , 2003). Concrete

commonly contributes the best fire resistance properties towards any building material

(Rout, 2010). When the concretes mixtures associate chemically, it produces a form of

material that is basically inert and contain low thermal conductivity, higher heat

capacity, and low strength deterioration with the temperature. The slower rate transfer

of heat and loss of strength will allow the concrete to perform as an efficient fire shield

to protect itself from damage of fire (Venkatesh, 2014).

5

2.2 LATERITE ROCK

Laterite soils formed in wet and hot tropical areas and the climate is humid or

subtropical. It was found as the higher weathered soils in classification system. Laterite

soil has been available and be one of main building materials in Nigeria for a long time

ago. Problems in the fundamental economic of building materials because of the high

cost have urge the need to seek for another option (Osunade, 1984). Laterite rock are the

product of very comprehensive and long lasting tropical rock which build up by the

high rainfall and elevated temperatures (Schellmann, 1991). Figure 2.1 illustrate the

laterite soils which can be found in tropical area.

Figure 2.1 : Laterite soil

2.2.1 Properties of laterite rock

Lateritic soils features that very significant are of their colour, contain high clay

(claylike). It also have low exchange capacity of cation (Ko, 2014). The colour of the

laterite soils is depends on the amount of Al and Fe exists. It was in pink colour to

grey/brown then to red colour with massive, pisolitic and clayey (Randive, 2011).

Laterite contains very wide of various proportions minerals. The impact of aggregate

strength also been found. Higher iron-oxide contents will produce higher mechanical

strength, durability and specific gravity. There were also no absoption occur as it has a

6

negative correlation with strength (Johnson, 1972). Insufficient in the amount of

Nitrogen and very low in lime content are also the characteristics of laterite soils

(Raychaudhuri, 1980). Iron minerals presence and its solid arrangement strength does

affect the strength and hardness of laterite soils (Kasthurba, 2008). Table 2.1 shows the

physical properties of laterite rock and granite and Table 2.2 shows percentage of

elements that present in laterite soils.

Table 2.1 : Properties of laterite rock and granite

Physical Properties Laterite Granite

Water absorption 1.34 0.92

Flakiness index 9.2 6.3

Elongation index 9.6 6.1

Specific gravity 2.53 2.69

Aggregate crushing value 33.9 28.8

Ten percent fines 18.5 8.4

Aggregate impact value 32.9 26.2

Moisture content 0.64 0.45

Source : Kamaruzaman et al. (2012)

7

Table 2.2 : Major element analysis of laterites

Elements Percentage (%)

Silicone dioxide (SiO2) 1.2

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) 2.96

Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) 37.21

Manganese dioxide (MnO) 0.05

Manganese oxide (MgO) 0.29

Calcium oxide (CaO) 0.91

Sodium oxide (Na2O) 2.69

Potassium oxide (K2O) 0.03

Phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) 1.01

Sulphur (S) 0.59

Chromium (III) oxide (Cr2O3) 0.06

Nickel (II) oxide (NiO) 0.02

Barium oxide (BaO) 0.03

Loss on ignition (LOI) 31.39

Total 99.99

Source : Randive (2011)

8

2.2.2 Availibility in the world

Laterite soils are available in all over the world where the conditions are tropical

region and humid. It also available when have an intense chemical weathering and

leaching of soluble minerals sources. In tropical area, they were found almost

everywhere (Badmus, 2010). The countries that have a lot of laterites are our country,

Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Burma, Australia, Africa and some parts of South America

(Ramakrishnan, 1972). It was found that the composition of mineralogist at the selected

of west Malaysian area laterite soils was based on the hypothesis of lateritic soil

formation (West, 1970).

Laterite was available all over the world as it was found in the countries with

climatic conditions that has tropical region in high temperatures and also high in

rainfall. (Dumbleton, 1970). Laterite was found in Nigeria in a large amount all over

across country as it find its uses in building, house construction and also road

construction (Aleva, 1994). Lateritic soils were originally the products from the tropical

weathering that normally found in region where natural drainage in available (Amu,

2011). Figure 2.2 shows the maps where laterite soils can be found in the world.

9

Figure 2.2 : Maps of Lateritic Soil

Source : http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-maps/world-climate-map.html

2.2.3 Use of laterite in construction industry

The demand for local manufactured building materials were exaggerated in

many countries because of inequality between the demands for housing and also

expensive rate of building materials with the reduction of traditional building materials.

In Nigeria town area, the most common material used to build the wall are the

conventional sandcrete blocks and fired clay bricks. Fired clay bricks production is very

labour demanding and the process is usually accomplished by using specific trees that

lead to deforestation (Joel, 2008)

Due to environmental problem, the clay bricks only can be produced where

proper and convenient clay soil deposite is available (Joel, 2008). Laterite used as

cement-enhanced bricks also get the chances and potential to produces a low cost

housing for economic growth in Nigeria (Gasu, 2012). Different sites in Kano produces

10

a great laterite bricks when the laterite was sustained with 3% to 7% of cement content

(Holmes, 1983). Figure 2.3 and 2.4 below shows the bricks that was made by laterite

soils.

Figure 2.3 : Laterite bricks

Source : http://krownaxies.tradeindia.com/customized-laterite-bricks-

1665938.html

Figure 2.4 : Laterite bricks

Source : http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/photo/2011-

04/14/content_12328689.htm

11

Laterite rocks can be used in production of concrete. The size of laterite rocks

that has been reduce to a smaller size to be a fine aggregate has finally used as partial

fine aggregate replacement in concrete (Salau, 1998). The laterite presence in laterized

concrete structure has improves its condition and post-cracking availibility (Salau,

1990). A study conducted to investigate the effect of laterite as partial coarse aggregate

replacement was carried out.

From the assessment on Malaysian laterite aggregate, 10% replacement of

laterite aggregate in concrete, the achievement of the concrete strength result is

satisfactory enough. Target strength can be reached up to 30% replacement of laterite

aggregates (Kamaruzaman, 2012). 20% of the cement mixture of concrete tiles and

same amount of laterite soil and granite with unfired process is used to gain optimum

grade and properties. Cement that enhanced laterite soils are likely choosed for base

course of construction (Millogo, 2008). The presence of laterite in concrete structures

improves the serviceability conditions and cracking capability (Salau, 1990). Figure 2.5

illustrate the wall that was made by using laterite bricks.

Figure 2.5 : Laterite concrete wall

Source : http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-image-laterite-brick-

wall-tilted-out-close-up-image20369056

12

Figure 2.6 : Laterite coarse aggregates

Figure 2.6 above shows the laterite coarse aggregate that can be found tropical

area. Lateritic aggregates are suitable and very good material for the used in road

chipping and aggregates for concrete (Madu, 1980). The mean of tolerable fine

aggregates replacement with lateritic soil is abouy 20% was pointed out by Joshua and

Lawal, 2011. Laterites are typical materials used in tropical and equatorial countries and

have been used for a long time in construction of road as fill materials and aggregate for

base and layer of foundation (Khalil, 2014). Other than that, financing problem are

some meaningful in developement of road in developing countries was drown because

of high cost in getting the materials and the construction. More than three quarters of

total road in many tropical countries consist of earth or unimproved roads (Madu,

1973). The construction of road by using laterite aggregate as materials for the road

base was illustrated in Figure 2.7 below.

13

Figure 2.7 : Lateritic road

Source : http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/8847/road-upgrading-works-as-

social partnership/

2.3 EFFECT OF ELEVATED TEMPERATURE ON NORMAL CONCRETE

Normal concrete is a composite material with contents like sand, aggregate,

cement and water had reached compressive strength of 10 to 40 Mpa after 7 days.

Normal concrete usually achieve 80% of its strength after 28 days. The effect of

temperature towads a concrete structure (beam) that subjected to fire was studied

(Gupta, 2012).

2.3.1 Compressive strength

Several beams was tested towards temperature of 650°C for different time of

periods. Cracking loads, crack propogation and also ultimate load had been recorded for

every beam (El-Hawary, 1996). After exposed to an elevated temperature of about

1200°C, the compressive strength and tensile strength was decreased a lot (Chan, 1999).

The degree of spalling in concrete will increase the period of concrete to expose to fire

(Abdelalim, 2009). When using the ordinary portland cement (OPC), sand, crushed