STABILIZATION OF LATERITE AGAINST WATER PENETRATION IN EARTH (MUD) ROOFS USING LOCUST BEAN POD ASH AND SUGARCANE STRAW ASH

Abstract

This research examined the stabilization of laterite against water penetration on earth (mud) roofs, using Locust Bean Pod Ash (LBPA) and Sugarcane Straw Ash (SCSA). The laterite  soil  was  collected  from  pits  around  Hagagawa  quarters  of  Bichi  Local Government Area. It was stabilized with different mix ratios of 14, 22 and 30 per cent of LBPA and SCSA with different mix proportions of laterite. These mixes were subjected to permeability test to ascertain their water resistance effectiveness. The results of the test showed that, laterite sample without additives is more porous, thereby, allowing easy penetration of water and thus, not very suitable for roof construction. The suitability of the laterite sample was improved by optimum of LBPA and SCSA at 30 per cent. Also, the least amount of water penetration after 14 and 28 days of curing was with the mix ratio of 70:30, followed by 78:22. The results also showed that the increase in quantity of Locust Bean Pod Ash resulted in greater water resistance than increase in quantity of

Sugarcane Straw Ash for both 14 and 28 days curing periods.

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Housing for citizens is one of the major challenges facing humankind in the 21st century. Although studies have shown that the problem of housing is universal, it is, however, more critical in less developed countries (LDCS) including Nigeria. The challenge of housing   is not particularly acute to the rural dwellers, it also affects  the urban areas in many less developed countries, where expansion of the urban population due to the high population growth rate and a massive rural-urban drift have compounded the housing situation.

The urban slum mostly live in over-crowded housing which is usually self-made temporary structures,  having  effect  on  deteriorating  urban  infrastructures and  social services  (Diogu,  2002).  The  need  for  adequate  provision  of  housing  facilities  is increasing  with  increase  in  population and  with the  demand  of maintenance of the existing ones. The search for local materials to supplement cement or partially replace it in most applications as evidenced by many researchers world-wide have become paramount.

In recent years, the potential for laterite earth as a valuable and desirable construction material is being rediscovered. When referring to earth, soil, laterite or mud in building construction ,both terms mean the same material, they are materials excavated from the sub-soil layers of the ground kneaded together for walling or other building construction  purposes.  Methods  derived  from  the  traditional  techniques  are  being

developed to improve the quality of earth construction and broaden the potential for the

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application. Earth is primarily used for the construction of walls but can also be used for the construction of roofs where its good insulation properties are particularly advantageous, especially in hot, dry climate.

Roof is the uppermost weather proof and essential part of any building. It encloses the space within the building providing vital protection from the elements. It is both an esthetic and structural element. The shape and material used determine the style of the entire construction (Adam and Agib, 2001). According to Aliyu and Yaradua (2012), weather –tight roof is essential for preserving the structure of the entire building. If the roof is badly constructed with poor quality materials, heat loss or gain will result as well as water penetration and consequently the rest of the building will suffer damage. Roof should exclude rain, prevent excessive heat gain or loss, have good resistance to fire and should require little maintenance during its life span (Aliyu and Yaradua, 2012). The above qualities of a roof can be achieved in a number of ways depending on availability of materials and expertise (Adam and Agib, 2001).

Researches carried out by many organizations especially the National Center for Human Settlement (2001) on earth construction technology have shown that laterite has been successfully, used in the construction of dams, arches, roads, walls, and roofs. According to Aliyu and Yaradua (2012), laterite has been the most important of all building materials used in the history of building construction. Middendort (2001) recorded cases of the use of mud and clay which dated back to Mesopotamia around 800

BC. Adam and Agib (2001) stated that more than two billion people live in buildings constructed of laterite and clay products mostly in Asia and Africa.

Laterite which has been used for ages in the construction of houses from Nile to the gigantic monuments in Egypt and Babylon consists of highly weathered soils formed by the concentration of hydrated oxides of iron and aluminum (Thagesen,1996). The soil name laterite was coined by Buchanan in 1807 in India from a Latin word:Later’ meaning brick. The principal reason for using laterite earth is its excellent sustainable characteristics in construction and recycling process. These include the efficient use of infinite resources, minimizing pollution, waste and low carbon emission. Laterite as a building material is  available everywhere in the world and exists in many different compositions. It is most efficiently used in developing countries like Nigeria especially in cities such as Kano, Kaduna, Gusau, Kastina and other cities in Northern Nigeria to house a great number of people at reduced cost. However, it must be noted that laterite earth buildings are not found only in the third world countries but also  in the developed countries (EBA, New Zealand, 1998). In Nigeria and other third world countries the majority of houses in rural areas are built with laterite earth (Lasis and Osunade 1996; Kamang, 1998). Despite obvious limitations (like shrinkage, swelling, leading to cracks) in  its  acceptability  and  strength, the  use  of the  material  has continued  to  increase. Because  of these  limitations  in  the  use  of  laterite  in  construction activities,  recent research efforts have been geared towards improving its engineering properties for low- cost house. One way by which improvement of laterite for earth building construction can be achieved,  is through soil stabilization. This is aimed at  upgrading the traditional technology of laterite in construction through enhanced strength, durability, water penetration and other performance characteristics. Stabilization is a technical process, the object of which is to neutralize or at least restrict the detrimental behavior of the clay

present and thus reduce the natural sensitivity of soil to water, which leads to a loss of strength and cohesion. Thagesen (1996) defines stabilization as any process by which a soil material is improved and made stable. Garber and Hoel (2000) describe soil stabilization as the treatment of natural soil to improve its engineering properties. In general,  soil  stabilization  is  the  process  of  creating  or  improving  certain  desired properties in a soil material so as to render it stable useful for a specific purpose. Since the inception of this process of stabilization, most soil materials which have been thought not useful have found application in many areas of both civil and building construction.

In the time past, traditional earth builders used some local additives or stabilizers (stabilizers  or  additives  are  substance  added  to  materials  or  process  to  modify  its chemical or physical properties) to stabilize and improve the performance of laterite in constructions. Ola (1983) and Osinubi (1995) adduced that laterite can be stabilized with additives or agents such as cement and lime. Admixtures of coal bottom ash and cement, with phosphatic wastes, have been used to stabilize and improve engineering properties of  laterite  earth  with  significant  or  remarkable  results  (Osinubi and  Medubi,  1998; Osinubi, 2000). Further researches into cheaper ways of stabilizing laterite (mud) could yield  big  relief  from the  expensive  stabilization  of  laterite  using  cement  and  lime. Stabilization of laterite using conventional materials for construction purposes can be expensive, especially in a depressed economy, where cement is not within the reach of the low income earners. Hence, the need for alternative low-cost stabilization materials.

A number of researches have been made on utilization of locally- available waste materials to stabilize laterite earth for construction purposes. Examples of such recent researches include the use of bagasse ash, rice husk ash, locust bean pod ash, sugarcane

straw ash mixed to stabilize laterite as undertaken by Osinubi and Stephen (2005, 2006,

2007); Osinubi and Mustapha (2008); Ochepo (2008), Osinubi and Eberemu (2006); Adam and Jimoh (2011); Ogunribido (2012). The search for local additives to supplement cement in most applications is paramount, because cement is very expensive to obtain. Notable alternatives are some natural additives such as locust bean pod ash, cow dung, earth worm hill, sugarcane straw ash and rice husk ash. All these can be seen locally in most parts of Nigeria and can be used as stabilizing agents to laterite. The use of these additives depends on the expertise of the local earth builders and availability of the additives in a given locality. In this study, laterite earth will be stabilized using locust bean pod ash (LBPA) and Sugarcane straw ash (SCSA) to serve as stabilizers to laterite in order to improve its engineering properties against water penetration in roofs. Water penetration in roof is the rate at which water enters into the roof structure. The faster water penetrates into the roof, the more likely the roof will deteriorate. That is why stabilization is necessary especially in earth mud roofs.

Statement of the Problem

Laterite earth buildings are predominantly found in many cities of Kano State, like most part of northern Nigeria, especially in their rural areas, for instance, Bichi Local Government Area. In this part, traditional houses are constructed using laterite from foundation to the roof level. Some of these houses are being destroyed by rain annually leading to live loss and properties. This may be caused by the limitations, laterite has as a building material, that is,  its high shrinkage and swelling properties. Because of the mineralogical nature of clay, that makes it to expand when wet and shrinks when dried.

This characteristics can cause cracks in the structure especially when used as a roofing material which may lead to water penetration.

Using some additives, (like locust bean pod ash, sugarcane straw ash, rice husk ash, bagasse ash e.t.c ), the challenge can be taken care of to some extent. It  has  been proven by some researchers such as Adama and Jimoh(2011), Adama, Jimoh and Kolo(2013), Osinubi and Stephen (2007), that materials mentioned above, have some cementation properties in them which they exhibit when mixed with laterite. This may be due to the high amount of silicon oxide present in them, making them highly pozzolanic. This study was conducted to finding the effect of selected additives when mixed with laterite in preventing water penetration in earth roofs.

Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to stabilize laterite against water penetration in earth (mud) roofs, using  locust  bean ash (LBPA) and sugarcane straw ash (SCSA). Specifically, the study will determine:

1.  the water resistance effectiveness of laterite material stabilized with locust bean pod ash (LBPA).

2.  the water resistance effectiveness of laterite material stabilized with sugarcane straw ash (SCSA).

3.  the difference in water resistance of laterite materials stabilized with only locust bean pod ash or sugarcane straw ash, when compared with that  stabilized with a mixture of both materials (LBPA and SCSA).

4.  the effectiveness of water resistance of laterite material stabilized with LBPA and

SCSA as a result of variations in their mix proportions.

Significance of the Study

This study would establish the proportion of locust bean pod ash and sugarcane straw ash to be mixed with laterite to produce a matrix that will reduce water penetration in mud roofs. Having such knowledge, the study would be of benefit to local earth builders, farmers of locust bean and sugarcane, society, low- income earners, federal housing authority, building technology policy makers like Council of Registered Builders of Nigerian (CORBON).

The out come of this study would be beneficial to the local earth builders, by providing them with a standardized mix proportion of locust bean pod ash and sugarcane straw ash as stabilizers to laterite for roof construction. This will be done by sensitizing them through workshops and enlightenment campaign.

The study would also be of great benefit to farmers of locust bean and sugarcane, because the findings will help to direct their focus to new area of investment in the production  and  marketing  of  these  products,  with  the  assurance  of  a  sustainable, renewable source of raw material as there will be increase in the planting of both locust bean and sugarcane plants on the awareness of the potentials of the plants. This circle is capable of stimulating industrial growth in the processing of both plants.

The federal housing development authority is responsible for the provision of housing for all. The findings of this study would help them to make necessary reviews and    further contribution in their housing policies that will support the use of locally sourced materials for roof construction; leading to the construction of affordable and low cost houses for the populace

The immediate community (society), would find the study useful in exploring the economic benefit of raising more locust bean trees, sugarcane plants and new market for the products .The findings of the study would give low-income earners the awareness on the availability of cheaper and environmental friendly roofing material and will also give them  some  level  of  confidence  in  the  use  of  the  stabilized  laterite  for  roofing construction.

The result of this study would be of great benefit to bodies formulating and regulating building industry policies; for instance, Council of Registered Builders of Nigerian (CORBON), to develop a national earth building code for Nigerian.

Research Questions

To guide the conduct of this study, four research questions were raised as follows:

1.  At what mix proportion of locust bean pod ash (LBPA) to laterite will stabilized laterite material provide effective water resistance for laterite earth to be used for roof construction purposes?

2.  What will be the water resistance effectiveness when sugarcane straw ash (SCSA)

is mixed with laterite for roof construction purpose?

3.  What is the difference in the water resistance of laterite material stabilized with

LBPA and SCSA as a result of variations in mix proportion?

4.  What will be the mix ratio of locust beam pod ash and sugarcane straw ash to laterite that will give the desired paste needed to check water penetration in mud roofs?

Delimitations of the Study

This study would be delimited to determining the water penetration properties of stabilized laterite for roof construction in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State, using  locust  bean pod  ash (LBPA) and  sugarcane  straw ash (SCSA) singly and  in combination. Using different mix proportion.

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