Comparative Analysis of Strength and Physical Properties of Concrete Made from Three Different Coarse Aggregate (Granite, Gravel and Palm Kernel)

Abstract

The study is aimed at examining the comparative analysis of the strength and physical properties of concrete made from three different coarse aggregates. The research present the result and findings of an experimental research of the strength and physical properties of concrete made from different aggregates such as sharp sand, granite, gravel, palm kernel shell. In this research, sieve analysis and compressive test were carried out using a 150mm×150mm×150mm mould and a mix ratio of 1:2:4 by weight of concrete and water cement ratio of 0.5 was adopted, 36 cubes were produced and all the samples were cured in fresh water. The concrete cubes were tested for compressive strength at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The result obtained from the compressive strength shows that the different coarse aggregate used, possess different compressive strength value. The mean strength in N/mm² of concrete cubes cast with palm kernel at 7, 14,21and 28days gave 3.64N/mm², 3.82N/mm² 4.00N/mm²and 4.22N/mm²respectively while concrete made of gravel gave strength of 12.53 N/mm², 12.98 N/mm², 13.33 N/mm², 16.67 N/mm², For concrete made of granite, the strength are 14.53 N/mm², 15.56 N/mm², 18.67 N/mm² and 20.44 N/mm²respectively. This concludes from the above listed result that, the compressive strength of concrete made from granite gave higher compressive strength value of 20.44 N/mm², at 28days as compared to the compressive strength of concrete made of gravel and palm kernel shell which gave a compressive strength value of 16.67 N/mm² and 4.0N/mm²respectively.Specifications of the intended works pre-determines materials which are suitable for construction, it is therefore evident to ascertain the strength of these material before execution of intended project.

Keywords: Composite Material, Aggregate, Compressive Strength, Curing