Compressive Strength Characterization of Aged Stacked Sandcrete Masonry Blocks: Advancing Building Industry Practices and Quality Control

Abstract

The work addresses development of a sampling chart for long-term strength and durability characterization of aged stacked sandcrete blocks produced from sea sand, which appears to have significant gaps in literature. Buildings constructed with sea sand blocks in the region experienced serviceability complications with massive deterioration and degradation of strength in blockwalls that appears in powder form with associated cracks and exhibits failure modes in the buildings due to high salinity. Sangana located within latitude 4.3839° North; longitude 5.9938° East and Amassoma latitude 4.9731° North; longitude 6.1090° East in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. A total of 288 samples, including 144 each of stacked River Sand and Sea Sand blocks of ages 10 and 6 years respectfully were investigated. The stacked blocks for River Sand and Sea Sand shows a strength loss of 44.13% and 62.97% respectfully, due to exposure direction to driving rain and North-East trade winds. These conclusions open a wider scope and opportunities for research into sea sand masonry units and walls.