FLEXURAL BEHAVIOUR OF CONCRETE BEAMS INCOPORATING IRON ORE TAILINGS

Abstract

Aggregates make up 60-80% of the volume of concrete and 70-85% of the mass of concrete. The pressure on the river bed sourcing for river sand which is a major constituent in concrete making is causing a major ecological and environmental problem. Efforts are being carried out to conserve the environment by means of promoting the use of industrial wastes like iron ore tailings IOT which show physical properties similar to sand as replacement for sand in concrete making. This will not only conserve the river bed but also reduce the risk the tailings post to the environment. The scope of this research is to evaluates the flexural, compressive and split tensile behavior of concrete with IOT that was sourced from itakpe Kogi state in different proportions with respect to age of concrete. Test on the mechanical properties of concrete with 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% sand replacement with IOTs were conducted, tests on workability, compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength were also conducted. From the experimental results it was established that at up to 20% replacement of IOT, the compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength values increased comparable with that of control concrete specimens. But there is a gradual decrease in the strengths above 20% replacement up to 40% of IOTs. Results of this investigation suggests that replacement of sand with 20% IOT can be used in concrete specimens as it shows good strength.