EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF CALCIUM CARBONATE AND LIME ON FERRO SANDCRETE BLOCKS.

This study explored the effect of lime (CaO) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) on ferro sandcrete blocks, this project is focusing on their impact on strength, durability and overall performance. Sandcrete block are widely used in construction most especially in Afirca, this is due to their ease of production and affordability, but their mechanical properties can be enhanced with certain additives like Calcium carbonate and lime which are both commonly used in construction materials, they both have potential benefits such as improved compressive strength, reduced porosity and enhanced resistance to environmental degradation when used in an appropate proportion. In this research work, the mix ratio of ferro sandcrete block was altered by replacing cement with different proportions of lime and calcium carbonate at varying percentage. The sandcrete samples underwent curing for 7dyas, 14days and 28days, after each curing days various experimental test was carried out on the samples, for instance compressive strength test, water absorption test, sorptivity test were the test carried out on the samples. Form the experiment conducted the results demonstrated that the 0%CaCO3 and 10% CaO has the highest compressive strength across the three curing intervals of 7,14 and 28days of about 1.46, 1.498 and 1.136N/mm2 respectively. For water absorption test 7days curing for 20% CaCO3 and 10% CaO has the lowest water absorption rate of 1.13. With regards sorptivity composition (10% to 20% ) shows lower sorptivity after 28 days, which suggests better hydration of 0.133. Therefore, this reseach work suggest that an optimal calcium carbonate and calcium oxide replacement of 0%CaCO3 and 10% CaO replacement should be considered when using lime and calcium carbonate in ferrro sandcrete block production.