Load - Deflection Characteristics of Reinforced Concrete and Reinforced Latecrete Beams at Mid-Span

A laboratory Investigation of the Flexural Strength of Latecrete materials was carried out. The laterite used falls under AASHTO soil classification A-7-6 (10) with low plasticity clay (CL) according to the Unified soil classification system. This laterite is within zone four gradation characterized by fine laterite and has kaolinite as its dominant clay mineral. The Experimental programme involves the fabrication of twenty beams of concrete and latecrete materials; and testing them for flexural strength. Tests show that The Flexural strength recorded for plain concrete beams was 2.89 N/mm2, while plain latecrete beams has a value 1.44 N/mm2. The flexural strength of 13.58 N/mm2 was recorded for the reinforced concrete beams and 7.80 N/mm2 for reinforced latecrete beams, indicating that the flexural strength of latecrete beam is approximately 50% of that of concrete beam specimens. The load-deflection behaviors of the beams are essentially linear within the elastic range of loading. Based on the findings of this investigation, it was observed that the behavior of latecrete is similar to that of concrete; however, the concrete materials showed better strength characteristics than the latecrete materials. Keywords: Concrete, Latecrete, sand, Reinforcement and flexural strength