Effects of Bauxite Tailings as Partial Replacement for Sand in Sandcrete Bricks Production

Abstract

This study was carried out on sand-cement bricks with bauxite tailings, a mining by-product partially replacing the sand varying percentage levels. The bauxite tailings varied from 0% to 50% against the sand at intervals of 10%. Using bricks with dimensions: 210mm × 105mm × 75mm, a total of 120 bricks were produced and tested for their compressive strength, abrasion loss and water absorption after 28-days curing age. Results from the study showed that composite bricks with the bauxite tailings replacing up to 20% of the sand content recorded the highest compressive strength, lowest abrasion loss with the least water permeability. Even though, there was a general decline in the properties of the composite bricks with bauxite tailings replacement beyond 20%, bricks produced satisfied the minimum requirements for bricks suitable for walling. A strong correlation exited between bricks produced from the different replacement levels and the properties of the bricks studied. The bricks performed satisfactorily as masonry units where bauxite tailings content did not exceed 20%.

Keywords: Bauxite tailings, sand, composite bricks, abrasion loss