UCU Scholar :: Browsing by Author "Asiimwe Crescent"

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Assessing the Suitability of Using Expanded Clay Aggregates as an Additive in the Manufacturing of Papercrete Bricks
(Uganda Christian University, 2025-04-07) Asiimwe Crescent
The purpose of this research was to assess the suitability of using expanded clay aggregates as an additive in the manufacturing of papercrete bricks. The need for this research is driven from the structural limitations of the papercrete bricks that is associated with their low compressive strength and poor water resistance. Expanded clay aggregates which are small, porous and lightweight in nature has in previous research demonstrated the ability to enhance strength and resist water in various building materials. Therefore, this research aimed at improving the physical properties i.e. compressive strength and water resistance among others of papercrete bricks. To achieve this, expanded clay aggregates were mixed in the matrix partially replacing paper pulp in varying ratios from 0% to 25% to obtain the optimum mix design for making the claycretes. A design mix batch ratio of 2:1:1:1 with 20% paper pulp volume partial replacement with ECAs was selected as the optimum as this composite gave the best balance for the physical properties i.e. 6.4 MPa for compressive strength and 10.8% for water absorption. The efflorescence and soundness classes were all found to be workable gradually with increment in the aggregates volume according to British standards.