CHAPTER THREE

3.1 PROPOSED RESEARCH LOCATION

The concrete casting and curing work are to be executed at the rear of Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel

Civil Engineering building within the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta premises,

with adequate assistance from experienced technologists in the department.

3.2 MATERIALS COLLECTION AND PREPARATION

3.2.1 Plastic

Samples of the waste granulated plastic particles, were collected from a plastic collection

company near the Ojota dump site, Lagos. The samples will be thoroughly cleaned before use to

ensure that the debris and other forms of impurities that could alter or influence the hydration

and bonding of cement water paste are removed.

At the laboratory, the plastic samples will be sieved to ensure that they fit in the limit sieve

requirements.

3.2.2 Laboratory test of Particle Size Distribution of aggregates (BS 812)

The sieves used for making a sieve analysis conformed to BS 410. The tests are to be carried out

in accordance with the procedure given in BS 812. The objectives of the test are;

i. To determine the particle size distribution of plastic particle aggregates.

ii. To draw grading curves for the aggregates specified.

The procedure involves arranging the test sieves from top to bottom in order of decreasing

aperture sizes with pan and lid to form a sieving column. The aggregate sample of 1kg by mass

will then be poured into the sieving column and shaken thoroughly, using an electronic shaker, or
done manually. The sieves are to be removed one by each starting with the largest aperture sizes

(top most), and each sieve shaken manually, taking adequate precaution that no material is lost.

All the material which eventually passes each sieve will be returned into the column before

continuing with the operation with that sieve.

The retained material is to be weighed for the sieve with the largest aperture size and its weight

recorded. The same operation will be carried out for all the sieves in the column and their

weights recorded. The screened material that remained in the pan will also be weighed and its

weight recorded.

3.2.3 Fine Aggregates

3.2.3.1 Sieve Analysis and Grading of fine aggregates

The sieve sizes in general used for particle size distribution of fine aggregates are 9.5, 4.75, 2.36,

1.18 mm and 600, 300,150 and 75m. This test consist of dividing up and separating by means

of a series of test sieves named above, a material into several particle size classifications of

decreasing sizes. The mass of the particles retained on the various sieves will be then related to

the initial mass of the material. The cumulative percentages passing each sieve will therefore be

reported in numerical and graphical form.

3.2.4 Coarse Aggregates - (BS 882: 1992)

Well graded natural coarse aggregates obtained from Elega quarry near Imala. Aggregates

passing 19 mm sieve but retained in 10 mm sieve will be used. The natural coarse aggregates

will then be further sieved in order to remove traces of quarry dust and other small particles.
The sieve sizes to be used for particle size distribution of coarse aggregates are 19, 10, and 4.75

for coarse aggregate. The aggregates are to be collected approximately 2kg by mass. The

proportions of the different sizes of particles making up the aggregates will be obtained by

sieving and are known as the 'grading' of the aggregates. The grading is given in terms of the

percentage by mass passing the various sieves. Continuously graded aggregates for concrete

contain particles ranging in size from the largest to the smallest.

3.2.5 Determination of specific gravity and water absorption of plastic aggregates (BS
812: part 107)
The objective of the test was to determine the specific gravity of plastic aggregates. The test is to

be carried out using a pycnometer, funnel and the weighing balance machine. The weight of a

clean pycnometer is to be determined and recorded as WP. 10g of dry sample will then be placed

in the pycnometer, and the weight recorded as WPS. Distilled water will be added to fill the

pycnometer to the mark, while making sure no air was being trapped. The sample will then be

allowed to soak for 10 minutes. The surface of the pycnometer is to be wiped dry using a cloth

and weighed. The weight will therefore be recorded as WB.

The pycnometer will then be emptied and cleaned. After which it will be filled with distilled

water only upto the mark, thereafter wiped dry, and weighed. This weight will be recorded as

WA.
 W
W
W
( AW B )
( P SW P )+

( PSW P )/
specific gravity =