Strength Properties and Microstructure of Sandcrete Blocks Incorporated with Maize Straws

Major constituents of materials used for building such as cement and river sand are used in making sandcrete blocks. Extracting these materials have negatively impacted on the environment, thus causing the depletion of mining sources. The cost implication of construction has also increased significantly causing a shortage of decent housing. This research investigates the strength properties of sandcrete blocks incorporated with maize straws. Sandcrete blocks (450 × 150 × 225 mm) were made with maize straws as constituent with a mix proportion of 1:4 (cement: sand). Thirty-six (36) sandcrete blocks were produced and their compressive strengths determined at 7, 21 and 28 days. The 28th day compressive strength of mixes containing 0, 5, 7.5 and 10% by volume of maize straws were 3.35 N/mm2, 2.57 N/mm2, 2.27 N/mm2 and 1.90 N/mm2 respectively. The 28 days strength of maize straw-sandcrete-blocks at 0 and 5% of maize straw generated the highest compressive strength and both results met up with the strength recommendation by the Nigerian Industrial Standard.