ABSTRACT
This thesis is an investigation into the properties of concrete using Atile seeds as coarse aggregate. The work involves the prior determination of the physical properties of the Atile seeds in the laboratory, e.g. specific gravity, absorption rate, bulk density, moisture content, voids ratio, porosity, etc. using standard methods of determination of these properties as given by Orchard (1962), Neville (1981), and Murdock and Brook (1984), and mix design. The properties of concrete investigated are compressive strength, resistance to abrasion as compared with normal concrete, cost comparison of units of Atile concrete and normal concrete, Modulus of Elasticity, bond, and split tensile. The compressive strength was determined at ages of 7, 14, and 28 days of curing while all others (except for the cost comparison of units) were determined at 28 days of curing. The compressive strength tests gave a range of 10.15N/mm to 18.27N/mm characteristic strength making it suitable for both structural and plain concrete construction. For the resistance to abrasion, the concrete produced of Atile eroded almost 2.5 times the normal concrete. The relatively low cost of the Atile was offset by the high cement content needed. The Modulus of Elasticity ranges from 4.10kN/mm2 to 10.12kN/mm2, i.e. about 17% to 28% of that of the normal concrete. This low value of the Modulus of Elasticity makes this type ofconcrete suitable for resisting impact loads. The rich mix provided the greatest bond with both deformed and plain bars than the relatively weaker mix. The split tensile tests gave results ranging from 4% to 7% of the compressive? strength of the same mix at 28 days of age