Experimental program
Physical properties of plant aggregates
Most of the physical plant aggregate characterization tests were based on a current
work of
the RILEM TC 236-BBM because there is no standardized method for this kind of
material. To
evaluate the validity of the results and analyse the dispersion of the results, these
protocols
recommend calculating a coefficient of variation. This coefficient corresponds to the
ratio
between the standard deviation and the mean value. The mean value is considered to
be
representative if the coefficient is lower than 5%. The methods are explained in the
following sections.
2.3.1. Microscopic description (SEM images)
Porous structure and morphology were analysed visually with a JEOL - JSM-6380 LV
Scanning
Electron Microscope (SEM). The particles were glued onto a metallic support and then
covered with a thin layer of evaporated gold before observation. These microstructural
investigations were carried out with a 15 kV accelerating voltage in high vacuum mode.
2.3.2. Particle size analysis
A particle size analysis was performed by image analysis using ImageJ software. This
increasingly used method [40-42] is particularly interesting in the case of non-spherical
particles. Size distribution and morphology (width and length) were determined using
this
method whereas traditional mechanical sieving analysis would have given only the
width.
However, this method is only achievable for small quantities of particles.
Sorption-desorption isotherms
The sorption-desorption property is necessary to model the buffering effect of a
material
and has great influence on its resistance to the proliferation of micro-organisms [34].
The
sorption-desorption isotherms of the 3 plant aggregates were evaluated by the
Dynamic
Vapour Sorption (DVS) method.
2.4. Compressive strength test
The compressive strength tests were performed on the Φ5H5
specimens using a 100 kN capacity hydraulic press. Compressive
strength tests were performed with the same protocol as in Laborel-
Préneron et al. [16], using a constant deflection rate of 3 [Link]−1.
For each mixture with lavender straw (3 and 6% by mass), three
specimens were tested in order to be compared with the barley straw
specimens of Laborel-Préneron et al. [16]. Displacements and loads
were measured and the strain-stress curve was deduced from
measurements of sample sizes. The Young’s modulus of each mixture
was then calculated form the linear part of the curve.
It is well known that thin structural stone veneers possess low tensile
strength, usually <10% of its compressive counterpart. While more
research is focused on the compressive strength of thin structural stone
veneers [3], [11], the flexural tensile behaviour has received fewer
attention. The direct tensile and compressive strength of granite specimens
were reported in [10] from series of destructive/non-destructive tests. A
correlation between the strength and UPV was established [10] which
showed that the direct tensile strength increased exponentially while the
compressive strength increased linearly with UPV. A number of studies
have reported on the influence of weathering due to salt crystallisation [8],
Compressive Strength: The test was to determine the strength development
of specimens with varying eggshells at both primary and secondary curing
ages (28 and 56 days curing ages). Compressive strength is arguably the
most important requirement a walling unit for both load and non-load
bearing walls must have. The compressive strengths of brick specimens
generally increased as the eggshells contents increased. Data also showed
an increase as the curing ages increased from 28 days to 56 days a
phenomenon common with materials used as binders such as cement, lime,
fly ash etc. After 28 days curing age, only compressed laterite bricks with
20% and 30% eggshell content met the acceptability limit for masonry
purposes as stipulated by GS 297-1 (2000). As the curing age increased,
only laterite without eggshells failed to meet the recommended minimum
compressive strength of 2.5N/mm2 . The increase in the strength
characteristics with increasing eggshells was attributed to the calcium ions
which react with the clay to form cementitious matrix thus improving the
bond between the soil particles. Density: Bricks used in the study had their
densities within the range of 1500kg/m3 – 2400kg/m3 as specified by BS
6073 for dense aggregates masonry units. The mean dry density of the ricks
increased steadily as the eggshells content increased as depicted in Table 4.
The increase in the dry density of the bricks could be attributed to the
increasing eggshell content which influenced the overall density of the batch
as the quantity increased. Water Absorption by Capillarity: This test
investigated the ability of the bricks specimen to absorb water after partially
immersing them in water for 10 minutes. Generally, specimen with high
coefficients indicates high absorption rate thus high porosity whiles
specimen with low coefficients are less porous thus absorbing lesser amount
of water. Data as presented in Table 4 shows a gradual dip as the eggshells
increased from 0% to 30% before rising slightly. This phenomenon
associated with increasing eggshells could be attributed to the decreasing
volume of voids which have been filled with the eggshell particles therefore
minimising the permeability of the bricks. It could also be affiliated to the
increasing calcium ions which tend to improve the cementing properties
within the soil matrix similar to that of conventional lime. Abrasion
Resistance: Bricks specimens were subjected to abrasion by brushing for 60
continuous cycles using a wire brush. Higher abrasion resistance coefficients
showed higher bond strength between particles whereas specimen
exhibiting lower coefficients showed weaker bonds. Data derived from the
study (in Table 4) showed that bricks with 30% eggshells exhibited higher
resistance to abrasion (wear) whiles the control batch (without eggshells)
were showed the least resistance to wear.