EFFECT OF NAKA LATERITE ROCK FINESS AS A PARTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR FINE AGGREGATE ON THE PROPERTIES OF MORTAR

Aondona Shadrack Jagba, Oloche Moses Oglekwu, George Sonter Galu

Abstract


ABSTRACT: The increasing demand for sustainable and locally available construction materials has encouraged the utilisation of lateritic materials as alternatives to conventional fine aggregates in cement-based construction. This study investigated the effects of Naka Laterite Rock Finess (NLRF) as a replacement for river sand on selected physical and mechanical properties of cement mortar. River sand and NLRF were characterised using particle-size distribution and specific gravity tests. Mortar specimens were produced at 1:5 and 1:6 cement-to-fine-aggregate ratios, with NLRF replacing river sand at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% by weight, using a water-cement ratio of 0.55. Sixty mortar cubes were cast and cured for 28 days before testing for water absorption, density and compressive strength. The sieve analysis gave coefficients of uniformity of 2.09 and 3.40 and coefficients of curvature of 1.00 and 1.20 for river sand and NLRF, respectively, while their specific gravities were 2.53 and 2.37. Water absorption generally increased with NLRF incorporation from 7–12% for the 1:5 mix and 9–12% for the 1:6 mix. Density varied with NLRF content and mix ratio. Compressive strength ranged from 12.03 to 15.30 N/mm², with the highest recorded at 25% NLRF in 1:5 mix. ANOVA showed significant effects of mix ratio and NLRF percentage on compressive strength (p < 0.001), while their interaction was not significant (p = 0.115). The study demonstrates the potential of NLRF as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in cement mortar, with 25% replacement identified as a suitable level and therefore recommended for mortar production.
Keywords: Naka Laterite Rock Finess, mortar, river sand, water absorption, density, compressive strength


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References


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