Comparative Strength Properties of Various Termite Mound Bricks used for Building Construction (A Case Study of Plateau State)

Abstract

This research investigates and compares the strength properties of termite’s mounds for building construction. Samples of mound hills were collected from the different geo-political regions of Plateau state. Field test (smell/washing/toughness test), moisture content test, particle size distribution test was carried out on mound soil samples. Also, the following tests were done on the compressed bricks, compressive strength test, water absorption test, abrasion test. The results of the test showed that termite mound soils from the northern zone do not contain organic matters while samples in the central and southern regions contain organic matter. For particle size distribution, 83% particles of the northern zone are within the silty sand region, samples from central 88% are within the silty sand region, and sample from the southern region, 83% are within the silty sand region. For moisture content determination, 36.2% of moisture was found from the northern sample, while an average of 40% from the central and 33% from the southern region. Compressive strength test at 7days was 2.7N/mm² for the northern sample, 2.5N/mm² from the central and 3.1N/mm² from the southern sample. At 21days, the northern sample showed no strength while the central sample showed strength of 1N/mm² and the southern sample showed 3.4N/mm². For water absorption, all the samples showed remarkable swelling and dissolution in water at 24hours. The bricks are prone to abrasion. Recommendation such as stabilizing the soil of the termite mound material by affecting the soil texture was made. Also the bricks should be protected from direct contact with water.