A Study of The Hygroscopic Properties Of Hollow Sandcrete Blocks

Abstract

Housing refers to the space where the active members as well as youngsters in the society spend most of their time and as such should be suitable and provided with minimum facilities necessary for human health, body and spirit. It is pertinent to state that such buildings that provides housing facilities should be perceived as safe for habitation without the fear of collapse. Environmental degradation has been identified as a contributing factor to cases of building collapse. This study examines the hygroscopic properties of hollow sandcrete blocks which is a major component of building materials. Samples of 150mm and 225mm hollow sandcrete blocks were collected for laboratory tests and control experiment was also set up. Experimental results reveals that Total Water Absorption and moisture content of commercially produced blocks do not meet up with recommended value in literatures while the values obtained in the control experiment are okay. However the total volume porosity for all samples are okay.