Effectiveness of locust bean pod solution (LBPS) in the production of sandcrete blocks for buildings

Abstract

Locust beam pod solution (LBPS) was prepared by extraction from the outer leathery cover of the pod soaked in water for twenty four hours in ten different concentrations of known weight of dried locust bean pod cover in 20 litres of clean water. Using ten levels of these concentrations, five sandcrete blocks of size 150mm cube were produced for each concentration, making a total of fifty blocks and the compressive strengths at 28 days were determined. Using a concentration of 50g/l, twenty blocks were produced with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40% respectively by weight of cement reduced making a total of 180 blocks. They were subjected to compressive strength test on 7, 14, 21 and 28 days respectively, crushing five blocks in each day to determine their average compressive strength. In order to investigate the effect of duration of soaking the locust bean pod cover in water on the compressive strength of the sandcrete blocks, five blocks were produced using the same concentration of 50g/l but soaked in water for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 days respectively and their compressive strengths were determined at 28 days. It was found that the higher the concentration of the LBPS, the more the compressive strength and soaking the locust bean pod cover for more than 24 hours is not necessary as the compressive strength tends to decrease. In conclusion, up to 25% by weight of cement can be saved by using locust bean pod solution in moulding the sandcrete blocks.

Setting Times of Portland Cement Blended with Locust Bean Pod and Eggshell Ashes

“…The locust bean pods are waste obtained from the African locust bean tree "Parkiabiglobosa" which is a perennial legume tree and grows in the savannah zone of West Africa [4,5] with the pulp separated from the pod and burnt to obtain LBPA. Numerous researchers have employed several materials as substitute for cement such as palm oil husk ash (POHA), pulverized fly ash (PFA) [6], rice husk ash (RHA) [7], coconut husk ash (CHA) [8], eggshell powder ash [9,10], locust bean pod ash [10] and etc.…”

<i>Parkia biglobosa</i> Fruit Husks: Phytochemistry, Antibacterial, and Free Radical Scavenging Activities

“…The fruit husks extract has been used as a bonding agent between locally manufactured clay tiles and the soil beneath [10]. The decoction has been used on floors, walls of rooms, and in soil constructions in West Africa to improve their durability, [11] [12] to the production of laterite blocks for buildings to prove their durable protection and waterproofing [13] [14]. Scientific works had shown that they can be used as biopesticides in soils [15] [16].…”

Activated Locust Bean Pod (Parliament Biglobosa) as a Potential Coagulant for Domestic Sewage Treatment

“…The plant increases soil fertility, grows to about 20 to 30 m in height and has dark, evergreen, pinnate leaves. Its fruit is a brown, leathery pod of about 10 to 30 cm long and contains gummy pulp of an agreeable sweet taste, in which there is a number of seeds (Aguwa et al, 2016). It is found in a wide range of environment in Africa and primarily grown for its pods that contain both sweet pulp and valuable seeds.…”

“…The seeds of the locust bean are used for food seasoning in almost all parts of Nigeria and are popularly known as Dawadawa in northern Nigeria while the Yorubas call it iru. The seeds are used extensively as seasoning and nutritious additives to soups and stews as well as a good source of essential amino acids (Aguwa et al, 2016). Every part of the plant (leaves, flowers, seeds, roots and bark) can be used as food and have been found to be medicinal and therapeutic in nature (Okuda et al, 2000).…”