PRECAST STONE MASONRY BLOCK (STONECRETE) FOR WALLING - A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

Abstract

The physical and strength characteristics of precast stone masonry block (stonecrete) were investigated with a view of assessing its suitability and economy as a walling material. Twenty (20) precast stone masonry blocks of 300mm x 200mm x 150mm of normal dimension were tested with varying mix proportions at 28 days curing period using ELG Budenberg compression machine with maximum capacity of 600 kN.

The results of the study show that the precast stone masonry block of 1:5:8 mix with compressive strength of 7.0 N/mm² is suitable for load bearing wall. The compressive strength increases with decrease in the water/cement ratio. The block from the mix also has advantage of cement reduction by 42% compared to the sandcrete block. The 2:3:6 mix with compressive strength of 27 N/mm² is good for water retaining wall and other civil engineering works that require very high strength.