Determination of Selected Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Neem Seed Husk Ash Blended Cement
1Raheem, A. A. and 2Ibiwoye, E. O.
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Corresponding E-mail: aaraheem@lautech.edu.ng
DOI: 10.36108/laujoces/9102/20(0170)
Abstract
Neem tree (Azadirachtaindica) is a tropical evergreen tree scattered all over the country, hence its availability can add to the list of materials used as pozzolan. This study investigated the characteristics of Neem Seed Husk Ash (NSHA) blended cement produced in the factory. Neem fruit was collected from Olooru town and Ilorin metropolis in Kwara State Nigeria, after collection, the seed was removed with the use of Decorticator huskers, sun dried for 3 days to reduce its moisture content and burnt in a furnace at a temperature of 650 ± 50 oC. The chemical composition (SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3) and physical characteristics were determined. Blended cement was produced by intergrinding 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50% by weight of NSHA with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) clinker and gypsum. OPC without NSHA served as the control. The blended cements produced were analyzed for chemical composition using X-Ray Flourescence Analyser (XRF). The physico-mechanical properties of blended cement (fineness, initial and final setting time, heat of hydration) produced was examined. The total percentage of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 for NSHA is 75.35%. Factory produced NSHA – blended cement is suitable as it satisfied the maximum requirement of 375 minutes for final setting time and 45 minutes minimum initial setting time, hence it can be used for construction work where strength is not a priority
Keywords: NSHA, XRF, Setting time, consistency, hydration, pozzolan