DURABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF CONCRETE PRODUCED WITH DATE SEED AS LIGHT WEIGHT AGGREGATE

Abstract

In conventional concrete production, coarse aggregate (crushed granite) plays an essential role in the resulting functional properties of concrete. However due to the high cost of coarse aggregate and its scarcity in some areas in Nigeria, this research investigated the suitability of Date Seeds (DS) as light weight aggregate in concrete production. This was achieved by producing lightweight concrete using cement, sand (fine aggregate) and DS (coarse aggregate) in the ratio 1:2:4. Samples of concrete with Crushed Granite (CG) as coarse aggregate were equally produced and served as control. For the purpose of the research, (15) concrete cubes were produced with DS and 15 concrete cubes with crushed granite. Water- cement ratio of 0.6 was used for the two specimens. The concretes produced (6) from each specimen were immersed in chemical concentrated solutions of 5% Magnesium Sulphate (MgSO4) and 5% Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4) for 28 days. The remaining concrete Specimens (9) from each specimen were equally immersed in ordinary water for 28, 56 and 84 days. Specimens in chemicals were crushed at 28 days while those in ordinary water were crushed at 28, 56 and 84 days curing periods. At 28 days, there was a significant difference in the damaging effects of MgSO4 on DS concrete when compared with that of CG concrete. Increase in strength was observed in DS concrete at 56 and 84 days in ordinary water. The research concluded that DS can be used as an alternative material to Crushed Granite (CG) in production of lightweight concrete in an area where there is scarcity of CG. The research recommended that DS concrete should not be exposed to sulphates having concentration close to 5% or more.