Suitability of Laterite Fines as a Partial Replacement for Sand in the Production of Sandcrete Bricks
The provision of affordable housing units from indigenous building materials has been the focus of most researchers in recent times. This paper focuses on the utilisation of laterite fines as replacement for sand in the production of sandcrete bricks as masonry units. With a mix ratio and a water/cement ratio of 1:6 and 0.50 respectively, batches with 0% (control specimens), 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% laterite fines replacing the sand were adopted in this study. In all, 96 bricks were cast, tested and compared with those of conventional sandcrete bricks (control specimens). Tests studied were density, compressive strengths (wet and dry) and water absorption. Data results revealed that the laterite fines used could satisfactorily replace the sand up to 30% for the production of structural masonry units even though bricks need to be protected when used in waterlogged areas or below ground level.
Effects of Partial Replacement of Sand With Lateritic Soil In Sandcrete Blocks
Of recent, the attention of most researchers is shifting towards the optimization of building materials by using local contents; the use of indigenous materials; and local industrial by-products unique and abundant in certain localities. This study therefore explored ways in which lateritic soil could be utilised in hollow sandcrete block production in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. Sandcrete blocks were made with lateritic soil taken from different sources replacing the conventional fine aggregate (local river sand) in steps of 10% up to 60%. Their compressive strengths determined to check for conformity with standard sandcrete block as specified in the Nigerian National Building Code (2006) with a view to determine the acceptable percentage replacement. Soil tests were performed on the lateritic soil samples to characterise the soils. Classification of the lateritic soil samples within Ota, revealed that the lateritic soils are mostly sandy clay of high plasticity and may replace sand by up to 20%, though an approximate linear decrease in strength with increasing sand replacement with lateritic soil was observed. This percentage replacement can be recommended to the block making industries within Ota with a view to encouraging utilization, though it is encouraged to confirm the percentage before embarking on mass block production.
Fortune and Responsibility in Calderón's La gran Cenobia
La gran Cenobia deals with the war between Queen Zenobia of Palmyra and the Emperor Aurelian. Calderón de la Barca draws most of his information from historical sources; the dramatist, however, changes history and adapts it to his own dramatic purpose. The theme of Fortune gives unity to the play. Aureliano is portrayed as a tyrant who, to prove his independence from Fortune, behaves tyrannically, causing his eventual downfall. Cenobia believes that Fortune controls her life, but does not acknowledge that her own actions contribute to her misfortune. The analysis concludes that Fortune, as depicted in this play, is not an omnipotent and blind force, but what one has forged with his or her own actions coupled with the actions of others and circumstance.