Suitability Assessment of Sabon Kaura Pit Gravel as Coarse Aggregate in Concrete Production

: There is global need for the preservation of natural resources. Natural resources in the world are continuously decreasing due to manufacturing of the products and this has negative impact on the environment. Aggregates constitute large ratio by weight concrete production. Recently the approach is to research for alternative that will serve the purpose of the natural aggregates in concrete for sustainable construction. One approach to contribute to sustainable construction is to partially or totally replace natural aggregates. Pit gravel is a suitable material for replacement of aggregate in concrete production. Specific gravity as well as bulk density, porosity, Impact value, crushing value for both conventional aggregate and pit gravel were carried out. Workability, compressive strength and flexural strength properties of concrete produced with 100% conventional aggregate and pit gravel were carried out with a mix ratio 1:2:3 and water-cement ratio of 0.5 were examined and compared. The concrete was tested at 3, 7, 14 and 28 days’ hydration periods. The results showed that concrete with both conventional and pit gravel has a medium workability. The highest compressive strength at 28 days was 27.53N/mm 2 for conventional aggregate concrete as compared to 26.61N/mm 2 for pit gravel concrete. The highest flexural strength at 28 days was 5.73N/mm 2 for conventional aggregate concrete as compared to 5.67N/mm 2 for pit gravel concrete. The strength test results indicated that conventional aggregate concrete gave better strength compared to pit gravel concrete. The research recommends use of pit gravel to fully replace conventional aggregate in concrete.