EVALUATION OF THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTHS OF SOME LOCAL CANAL LINING MATERIALS

Abstract

The compressive strengths of some local materials were determined to ascertain their strength and
suitability for canal lining. These materials were: (i) Concrete (GC): which comprised of Cement, Sand
and Granite of average sizes of between 9.0 mm and 14 mm, in a ratio of 1:2:4. (ii) Termite Mound (TM)
(iii) Clay Cement (CLC) (iv) Cementitious Clay (CCL), and (v) Clay Soil (CLS). These materials were
moulded into 100 mm x 100 mm x 50 mm and allowed to cure for 28 days. The compressive strengths
were determined at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days during the curing period. Concrete had the highest compressive
strength of 2.373 N/mm², followed by Burnt Cementitious Clay, Clay Soil, Clay – Cement and Termite
Mound, with values of 1.233 N/mm², 1.188 N/mm², 0.692 N/mm² and 0.315 N/mm², respectively. Results
also showed that the compressive strengths increased as the curing days increased, while the dry density
decreased. The materials can compete favourably with concrete in terms of strength.