THE SUITABILITY OF SEAWATER ON CONCRETING IN THE NIGER – DELTA ZONE

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to determine the suitability or otherwise of seawater for concreting. The study was carried out using the Box-Wilson symmetric composite plan B3, comprising 15 experimental points with 3 levels of treatment each. In accordance with the principle of the mathematical theory of experiment, multi-factorial regression models were evolved. The cement content at maximum level[x1 (+), water content at the minimum level [x2 (-)] and retarding admixture at minimum level of treatment [x3(-)] proved to be the most suitable condition for concreting. The result as follows were; Concrete slump: 60mm, Concrete density: 2450g/cm3, Concrete compressive strength: 22.56N/mm2, 26.65N/mm2 and 30.09N/mm2 for 7days, 14days and 28 days, respectively.