₦airaland Forum

EgunMogaji:
What are your thoughts on using this as part of mix to set blocks ONLY?

I've heard from AbdulWastecx but he doesn't build in this area.

It'll work for block setting and equally work for concrete application. The unfortunate thing is it'll produce a very strange colour that'll make one feel the mix is of less quality.

I know there are sharp sands that looks like what you posted above. The color doesn't make them less quality. It's the presence of silt and clay in them.

A similar type of sand was used to raise the columns on the upper floor of my chateau and with right mix under good supervision, it achieved the same result. Yet, no cracks (horizontal or vertical or triangular) despite building in an area where limestone is blasted almost everyday.


Brabus


Suggestion:

Leave for 2 - 3 rains to wash away the colors and impurities, it'll come out fine line River sand. This is where Baba Lati's experience count though.

adanny01:
Thats what you think, granite dust remains a quarry waste product and no construction company is allowed to use it as subtitute for sharp sand. I am sure there are researches to use it as additive but not to replace sharp sand.

Quarry dust in Abuja is cheaper than sharp sand but still not prefered by top construction companies. Its not the cost, its standard practice. The stone dust can only be considered when its cheaper.

Unfortunately, my site is closed and i have no access to the lab for now.

Modified:

I just read 2 journals about this.

1.One researched 100% granite dust and 100% sharp sand as fine aggregate for grade 25 and 40 concrete. The conclusion had "The strength achieved in concrete made with sand as fine aggregate achieved high strengths when compared with Quarry stone dust concrete". However, the results show that both materials achieved their targeted grades. This meant that sharp sand and granite dust both made the grade 25 concrete but sand was higher.

2. This research only used granite dust as percentage of the fine aggregate. The research used 30, 40 and 50% granite mixed with 70, 60 and 50% sharp sand resp. This research documents marginal increase in strength but limited under 50%. It means it is good to mix quarry dust with cement but must be below 50% of the fine aggregate portion.

In summary, quarry dust can be used as an economical subtitute to sharp sand but not a better material for general flexural strength in a concrete member.

Also, on fire resistance, sharp sand is still better from the first journal.

My boss, I'll be interested in reading up the journals if you can provide the source.


Meanwhile, here's my position. Base in my experiment on sand (different types available in the market), I know that River sand is the only sand to get if you're looking for quality. Just few days ago, Egunmogaji posted another type of sand supplied to him as sharp sand. If you're familiar with Lekki axis, there are nothing less than 10 - 12 types of sharp sand (Addo, Berger, BADORE, Langbasa, Chevron, Bogije, Awoyaya etc). These sand are full of silt which takes in moisture and dampens the concrete.
Since I got a dump truck for my projects, I've learnt a lot about sand and I realize that the further we dredge this material the more silt and clay is present and the more difficult it becomes for construction company's (small or big/giants) to get sand of a suitable quality.

However, crushed granite fine (otherwise called granite dust) had grades and I found it as a better alternative to low quality sand we are having around this days.

The CGF has enable us to create large amounts of sand to a specific quality and not varying qualities as it used to be. This may be one of the most overlooked causes of building collapse in Nigeria.

You'll agree with me that crushed granites do not contain impurities such as silt and clay found in most sand we use today; which makes it a stronger alternative to river sand. And there are lots of many more positives.
The only disadvantage is availability and workability which is less of an issue because we are faced with the same problem if we are to source a good quality sharp sand.

Still wondering why crushed granites is mostly used for road paving stones? For making the strongest concrete blocks?

cc: smiley001, Chekitaut, fendorf


Brabus


In 2013 while I was in Ondo, I was presented with some funny sand as sharp sand but opted for crushed granite fine as a substitute not minding the workability. I'll rather cope with the stress than use a less quality material for my build.

Miscellaneous:
man, 3 cubes was tested & average taken ...& did u believe I wouldn't do all aforementioned under supervision ? Man, I did all that. The only mistake I made was not snapping pix before submission of the detailed report


cc: n3xt

3 cubes. Agreed. But manual mix without adequate water is a capital NO! Manual mix on the ground or inside a water-tight/non-absorbent container?

The supervisor was just standing by as an observer because you complained about workability of the CGF. Otherwise, he would have told you to use a mixer or add a little more water to the granite dust/cement mix until the concrete is of desired consistency. How long did the test took before results came out? How much time for curing? 7 or 28 days?


Brabus

Tough time awaits architects - ICPC Promises | Daily Trust

http://198.154.253.13/abuja/DAILY/OLD/Dec2015Daily/07122015%20daily/first%20pullout/Page%2042.pdf

adanny01:
I can bet, if quality sharp sand is used, that sharp sand would beat granite dust.

There are two qualities of sharp sand that is unbeatable; shapes of individual sand particles and grading (sizes).

In real structural use of concrete, stone (granite) dust is prohibited. Big companies such as JB, Dantata&Sawoe, Setraco etc all have their own quarry that produces this dust but choose to sell it and still buy sharp sand.

"Quality Sharp Sand" like River Sand. I think those guys (Construction Giants) are doing this to reduce their cost. It's cheaper for JB, Setraco and the likes to buy a dredger and start dredging sand from the whole of Lagos not minding the ecological effect on the land.

I'm ready for a crushed granite fine vs quality sharp sand compressivity test challenge. In terms of cost and strength, I think granite fine will do better than sand for concrete applications.


Brabus

Somewhere on the Island of Lagos during the heavy downpour this afternoon. After 5 minutes of continuous rain, water rose above DPC level and we started seeing water coming from the tiled floor.

Big Man, Big Problem. Multi-million Naira Project - No Proper Water Exclusion Strategy


Brabus

Miscellaneous:
Okay. The test was conducted for the sole purpose to see how fine aggregate as do coarse aggregate influence the desired strength of concrete. For this purpose, two tests were conducted with one using granite dust as fine aggregate & the other using the popular laterite (sharp sand). You see, before now, there have always been mixed reactions concerning this granite dust but, the below results nipped it in the bud. Now, my findings:

1. The granite dust gave a blending color to the mix as oppose to sharp sand.
2. The granite dust proves very difficult to bond with the mix ( I used trowel for both experiments & I'm certain it is same even with an automated mixer)
3. The desired strength was 25N/mm² but, sharp sand gave me 26N/mm² while granite dust gave 16N/mm²
4. For some reason, I believe the workability of sharp sand is better than granite dust.

Since it was a time limited experiment, I couldn't make a general conclusion but, however, the strength is what really left me dazed.
N:B ==> A mix of 1: 3/2 : 3 ( 4: 6: 9) was used which I believe does not have any detrimental effect on the suppose granite dust. It's just a mix, afterall.

I made the summary as short as I could.


Cc: Abdulwastecx, Egunmogaji , n3xt

OMG! I thought I was going to see some laboratory test report. Reason for your result as follows:


1. The workability of crushed granite fine requires more quantity of water than river sand because of the size and shape
2. Manual mixture
3. Your mix ratio
4. Is the mix properly vibrated to remove air pocket as granite dust will have more air pockets than river sand when not vibrated.
5. Type of test carried out and the mould used for the collection of sample.

In actual sense, granite dust will give higher value than an all-sand concrete mix. It's only recommended where it's economically cheap like and sourcing river sand is difficult. You won't see more people using it in Lagos due to scarcity but you'll see more of it in Ondo, Ogun and some part of Ibadan.

Do you know I got different result from the same mix while using marine board and timber for formwork? Reason: Water loss in timber formwork is higher than marine board formwork.

Brabus

Ike77503:
Bros, your face is so familiar...have you got a brother named "NONSO" ?

No no

Work . Meet . Play Space

Brabus | NextHome Design+Build

Yet another inspired space

Brabus | NextHome Design+Build | MacBook Air

My Inspired Space

Brabus | NextHome Design+Build

abdulwastecx:
The aim of this investigation was to determine the causes of the occurrence of both vertical and horizontal cracks on a new completed building.

What are the probable cause of the crack?

I'm suspecting soil movement beneath the foundation. Upward pressure if the wall buckles. And I won't leave out the age of the building in the investigation.

When it's rushed and not well compacted, it'll definitely settle and crack is inevitable especially when built on wetlands.


Brabus

At level shown, I'm over 800mm higher than water level.


Meanwhile, spiral staircase formwork

Brabus

agarawu23:
I just wan know who e EPP recently. Ppl don't buy it anymore. Give me the best and stop showing me those merits/history in 'paper',cos I ain't paying for it.

I am paying for what you are offering and you can be ANYBODY.

Unfortunately, I'm not in a 'take all comers' business, so I can't be ANYBODY. It's hard to stand out when you market your business without a distinctive set of prospects in mind especially those who appreciate the true value of education.

I'm in a business that have an identifiable target population with similar interests and needs which includes respect for professionalism and sound education.


Brabus

Spiral Staircase by NextHome

Brabus

Choi! Person still dey make dollar while I dey watch match for ring side.

Make I go on commercial break. BRB.

Brabus

Very correct Babalose!!

Brabus

It's happy hour. Staying by the ring side with a bottle of Hennessy courtesy of anikkyshaya

I support Egunmogaji. I dey promote Demainman1

podosci:
Oga Sir, Nigerian Police get serious issues but atleast you still need them to come use siren pursue the armed robbers.

How wrong of me to think they'll be coming to switch off the alarm? I never thought of police coming to use the siren to pursue the armed robbers.

Podosci, you be engineer!

Brabus

EgunMogaji:
Why do you need the police?

To stop the alarm or be the umpire.

Thank God it's Friday!

Brabus

Tevanso, respect is reciprocal.

Don't blow your chances here.

Brabus

Attempting to justify a wrong action by pointing to another wrong action is clearly a Red Herring - fallacy of irrelevance. Two wrongs will never make a right. However, in an environment where facts don't matter, everything is right. People could justify anything so long there is another wrong reason to point to.

Should the true value of a professional be ignored or rubbished because there are quacks in the trade?

Now, I know why we are called a fantastically corrupt country.


Brabus

From today, I start to dey copy my Oga's style of affixing their initials after every one of their comments. Una know yourself o!

@ agarawu23, I took time to go through your response to sir lastpage' comment and I just decided to put Wyclef's Two Wrong on repeat to be sure of what he's implying.

They say two wrongs don't make it right
(Don't make it right)
So if I'm wrong I ain't tryin' to fight...

I'm so used to the pain that I
Can't see the sunshine no more...


As I listen finish, I come put Sunny Okosun's 1984 Hit Song on the playlist "Which Way Nigeria?"

When I read your comment finish, I come put the 2nd stanza of the Nigeria National Anthem with key words that touch my heart highlighted below.

O God of creation, direct our noble cause
Guide our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign

I got tired of listening to songs and my church mind come tell me to ask you this simple question "Can we attribute this statement made above to you if you're the Minister for Education in Nigeria?"

_________
NewsHeadline:

Minister of Education says "Who certificate epp?

Come here and ask Nigerians that are into fraud business how they all got Mali passport. They all use Mali passport to come into this country and exit here every 3 month to renew their stay. They speak French fluently, have all documents showing they are Mali citizens. Wetin no dey happen nowadays? - Nigeria Education Minister, agarawu23

Fortunately and unfortunately, Nairaland is our own parliament where we make or mar Nigeria's image.


Brabus

Miscellaneous:
you are right but, the look & feel shouldn't be enough. Let's be really sincere, is there any structure where the best ( I.e ultimate ) strength is not required at least for serviceability?

Research have it that a combination of River sand and crushed granite (20 - 30%) gives the best value for money and achieve peak compressive strength which is more than using sand alone.


Brabus

Miscellaneous:
please, help me ask the engineer how complex it is to carry out the design & analysis in terms of duration because, I am thinking it is time consuming even more than slab, beam & stairs altogether.

Not at all! First visit to the site 2 days ago and I handed the roof plan, the section drawings and the 3D view to the installer that came visiting. Yesterday, a senior engineer came for physical inspection and to take measurement of the building as-built. Also to discuss the materials proposed for the job. I have them dwg format of the drawings. Today, I'm expecting a detailed engineering drawing with the quotes for the job.

Building size is over 500sqm.


Brabus

There's nothing on the face of earth that cannot fail.

Apple ended with Steve Jobs. Tim is acting another movie entirely with Apple Phablets, iOS 8 which bricked so many iPhone 6 users, SMC Update which causes Yosemite and Mountain Lion users to experience batteries draining fast and so many anti-Job acquisitions like buying of Beats by DRE instead of Building Innovations.

A lot have happened to Apple's "It just works" slogan. Now it's Plug and Pray. From Antennagate to Bendgate and Scratchgate. We've seen it all.

It's like someone is from a related field.

Anyway, above is the rant of a diehard fan and user of all Apple products since the day of iPod. #bringbackourapple

_{Don't talk to me about Jailbreak and knockoffs o. I've registered more than 10 devices on Apple website and I'm sleeping on 4 as I type.}

Even Ruckus Wireless in the US knew us a beta-tester of their very good product in Nigeria for over a decade now.


Brabus

coldwater:
You seem to know much about Ibadan. I plan to relocate to IB city in the next few years. The places on my mind that I want to choose from are Kolapo Ishola GRA, Akala Way IMPA GRA Akobo and Samonda/Aerodrome GRA. What do you think about each one of them? In terms of serenity, value for money, elitism and class.

I left Ibadan more than one and half decade ago but the report reaching me hasn't tell me anything fantastically new.

Samonda/Aerodrome - how can I ever forget the Radio Nigeria newsflash always on repeat "The University of Ibadan has been closed down. We advised all..." That's totally a student area (Eleyele to Ojo). Once you hear that announcement, just go and get leaves from the nearest bush because students are on rampage.

Ibadan is cool and good but how I wish the government can clear up the mismatch and start to resettle some communities in new areas to develop the City Center. Ogun govt is doing this already and pretty soon they'll start yielding the result. I think Akala's government tried a lot opening new areas for people to build garages and chicken coop I'm not looking for trouble o. Anyway, I've heard about IMPA Estate but never been there. Never been to Ibadan for more than 10 days since past 15 years.

What made most part of Ibadan to be insecure is the mismatch.

Lagos was able to clean up this mismatch. Now you know where to buy if you wanted to be with your class. Although there are still areas where this mismatch exists but it far better than Ibadan.



Brabus

Nice one on security this night! God is the surest protection.

My favourite bible passage Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

agarawu23:
that's where my mallam sule and his friends will fall in .

I am not into dirty shitts so I will be expecting hungry boys looking for house to burgle

It's 3:24am. Go and check Sule in his room with Adija. He's sleeping but your Terrier is not.

Your well trained dog must bite at slightest provocation. Sule won't because he will use his discretion to determine threat level. Neither will your alarm system trigger only when there's robbery or an attempt.

No matter the size of the build, we all need to be security conscious.

KolaShangOne, the best form of defense is attack. Knowing fully well that petty thieves attack your neighborhood very often, investing on a rottweiler or dobberman won't be a bad idea. If it's not doing anything, let it just continue to bark and terrorise the neighbourhood.

Dog no dey use electricity nau! And it's always on guard day and night.
No buy bingo o, Bingo na ashawo wey dey follow highest bidder.


Brabus

agarawu23:
that's my own plan o
If God provide for Me, I might use alarm system because I have plan using solar inverter for 24hours electricity.

You can't waste your money on alarm systems and be waiting for phcn to bring light

Baba Ijebu alias Kowope