Optimization of the Compressive Strength of Sandcrete Blocks Produced by Progressive Replacement of Cement with Nano-Sized Laterite

Many types of research have been done, and many are still ongoing in the novel and existing materials that will help in low-cost building to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of providing houses even for low-income earners. This objective forms the nucleus of this research. In this study, the effects of partial replacement of cement with nano-sized laterite in the production of sandcrete blocks were studied. The aim was to determine the minimum quantity of laterite required to achieve adequate strength for walling units in buildings in partial replacement of cement in a mix of laterite-cement and to know the upper limit at which nanosized-laterite can be added to cement to produce a high-quality mix with maximum strength which will satisfy the minimum requirement for load-bearing walls. Six different mixes of laterite-cement at varying percentage of cement content were produced, moulded in block size and cured for 28 days. The variation was from 0 to 10% of the weight of cement at a constant interval of 2%. Two cubes were moulded for each mix, making a total of 12 blocks produced manually. It was found that the compressive strength of nano-sized laterite-cement mix is optimum when replacing 8% cement with nano-sized laterite