Quality Assessment of Sandcrete Blocks Produced in Kano Municipal Local Government, Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research entails the assessment of sandcrete blocks quality produced in Kano municipal Local govt. Kano state of Nigeria. six sandcrete blocks were selected from eight commercial block industries from the study area, the result obtained shows that the aggregates used satisfied the overall grading requirement specified in BS 882, 1992.The mix ratio adopted by the industries ranges from 1:12 to 1:14 which is against the standard of 1:6 specified in NIS 87:2004. water absorption was from 14.67% to 18.10% which reveals that all samples were above the maximum specified 12% as stated by the (NIS). The result of compressive strength of blocks tested ranges0.2869N/mm2 to 0.4884N/mm2 , its average for the eight factories selected was 0.432N/mm2 . Which reveals that all samples were below the maximum specified value of 2.8N/mm2 , as stated by (NIS 87: 2000). In compliances with the provisions prescribed by the codes/agencies. the manufacturers were recommended to improve on their mixing process, material selection and curing processes in order to produce sandcrete blocks of high quality to conform with the standard.