Compressive Strength Behaviour of Concrete Produced Using Okigwe Red Lump Stone as Coarse Aggregate

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to ascertain if the Okigwe red lump stone, found in South-eastern Nigeria, could be used as coarse aggregate in making structural concrete. The maximum compressive strength values, obtained at 28 days for red lump stone concrete were 13.72 N/mm2 at w/c ratio of 0.53 for mix ratio 1:2:4 and 8.74 N/mm2 for mix ratio 1:3:6, at w/c ratio of 0.55. These values were not up to 20 N/mm2 which is the ACI 318 (1995) recommendation for structural concrete. Therefore, Okigwe red lump stone must not be used in making structural concrete using mixes 1:2:4 and 1:3:6.