Effects of Synthetic Foam on the Properties of Stabilized Lateritic Bricks

Abstract Managing the production costs of construction projects is crucial especially in the aspect of material management. The use of lightweight materials reduces the dead load in structures, thus the reduction in the use of reinforcement and concrete in the foundation. To this end, this study examined the effect of synthetic foam on the properties of stabilized lateritic brick with a view to producing lightweight stabilized laterite brick for use on weak soils with low bearing capacity. Laboratory tests were conducted on the bricks produced to determine the density, compressive strength, and water absorption properties at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Preformed foam using synthetic foaming agent was used at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% to replace the water in the experiment. One hundred twenty samples of stabilized foamed lateritic bricks were produced at a mixed ratio of 1:4 (cement: laterite) using a 0.6 water/cement ratio. The result showed that the bricks at all percentages of foam content meet up with the minimum requirement of compressive strength of 1.6N/mm2, 2.0N/mm2 and 3.5N/mm2 recommended by the Nigerian Building code, Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, and the third class brick of the BS 3921:1985 respectively. The water absorption is within the limits of bricks specified in standards as 15%. The highest compressive strength was recorded at 25% foam inclusion (4.839N/mm2) on 28th day hence concluding that foaming agent stabilizes the characteristics strength of laterite bricks and also reduces its density.