Investigation into the Behaviour of Polymer-Aggregate Concrete under Compressive Loading Condition

The problem of Housing deficit has been a major problem in Nigeria owing to the perennial hike in prices of building materials in which cement, sand and granite form the nucleus of the materials in the built industry; hence the need to research into local available materials that could replace the conventional materials used in concrete production. This paper investigated the behaviour of a polymer concretes using Reprocessed Pure Water Sachet (PWS) as binder, laterite and clay as aggregates in separate mixtures with polymer for possible replacement of conventional cement concrete in some areas of application. The polymer aggregate concretes were prepared by mixing Reprocessed PWS with laterite and clay differently in different polymer-aggregate percentage replacements by volume (50%-50%, 60%-40%, 70%-30%, and 80%-20%) after sieve analysis had been carried out on aggregate samples. Compressive strength test was carried out on all samples after 28 days of air drying. It was discovered that polymer aggregate concrete compresses under a small applied load ranging from an average of 1.13KN to 1.88KN; and the loss in weight/height was alarming as the polymer (Reprocessed PWS) content in the concrete mix increases. It was also discovered that, the more the polymer content the lower the compressive strength in both cases, that is, laterite and clay aggregates but higher values were recorded in laterite but still a far cry from average compressive strength of reinforced concrete. The compressive strength ranged from 3.0N/mm2-1.0N/mm2 (50%-50% to 80%-20%) for laterite aggregate and 1.0N/mm2-0.5N/mm2 for clay aggregate. However, it was observed that polymer aggregate concretes behaved in such a manner that, under compression process, the samples didn’t break as always in the case of conventional cement concrete but a loss in weight and height were recorded owing to solvent oozing out of samples under compression process. Keywords: Polymer Concrete (PC), Pure Water Sachet (PWS), Polymer-Aggregate, Sieve analysis, Compressive Strength

Investigation into Strength Properties of Polymer-Sand Aggregate Concrete

Polymer concrete (PC) is a composite material formed by combining mineral aggregates such as sand or gravel with a monomer. This study investigated the strength properties of a polymer concrete using reprocessed Pure Water Sachet (PWS) as a binder and sharp sand as aggregate for possible replacement for conventional cement concrete in some areas of application. The polymer sand aggregate concrete was prepared by mixing reprocessed PWS with sand in different polymer-aggregate percentage replacements by volume (50%-50%, 60%-40%, 70%-30%, and 80%-20%) after sieve analysis had been carried out on the sand while the control specimen, that is, conventional cement concrete was prepared from a mix ratio of 1:2:4. Compressive strength test was carried out on all samples after 28 days curing in air and water for both polymer aggregate concrete and conventional cement concrete respectively. It was discovered that, the more the polymer (reprocessed PWS) content the lower the compressive strength. The compressive strength ranged from 2.0N/mm2-0.5N/mm2 (50%-50% to 80%-20%) at an average of 1.2N/mm2; but very low compared to conventional cement concrete strength as specified in BS 8110 1-1997. However, modifying cement formulations with polymers provides many important properties that make a variety of applications possible, including concrete patch and repair, decorative cement overlays, ceramic tile adhesives, and many others. Keywords: Polymer Concrete (PC), Pure Water Sachet (PWS), Polymer-Aggregate, Sieve analysis, Compressive Strength

Factors Influencing the Dis-adoption of Moringa oleifera among Farming Households in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the factors influencing the disadoption of Moringa oleifera among farming households in Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires for this study. Descriptive and quantitative techniques were used for the analysis of survey data. Result revealed that the level of disadoption of Moringa in the study area was high whereas those that are still cultivating moringa still realizes income it. Also, the respondents indicated that low return on investment on moringa oleifera, low demand of moringa oleifera products such as leaf and seeds, low sale of moringa products, inadequate processing equipment, and inadequate marketing channels and over hyped health benefit of moringa products were factors contributing to the disadoption of moringa oleifera cultivation.The study revealed that age,membership of farmers’ association, non-farm income, and access to extension and involvement of the farmers in other agroforestry practices were significant factors influencing the disadoption of moringa in the study area. However, membership of farmers’ association and access to extension services significantly influence the probability of disadoption of moringa cultivation negatively. This study therefore recommends that there shouldbe further awareness on the benefits of moringa in order to increase demand for moringa and its product and that farmers should be encouraged to join Moringa farmers group in order to network with other farmers and to access information. Keywords: Dis-Adoption, Moringa oleifera, Probit and Oyo State

Road Traffic Accidents in Nigeria: Causes and Preventive Measures.

Road accidents have become a normal and re-occurring phenomenon in Nigeria which constitutes a menace in modern times. Although both the developed and developing nations of the world have suffered from varying degrees of road accidents, the developing countries clearly dominates with Nigeria having the second highest rate of road accidents among 193 ranked countries of the world. Deaths from reckless driving are the third leading cause of death in Nigeria. In 2012, at least 473 persons died from a total of 1,115 vehicular accidents nationwide. Already in 2013, April may go down as the worst month in terms of road accidents as according to reported cases, April 3, 2013: A luxury bus and a smaller bus crashed on the Abuja-Lokoja Road, 18 died. April 5, 2013: A petrol tanker set luxury bus and articulated vehicle ablaze at Ugbogui village on Ore-Benin Expressway, 80 people were burnt beyond recognition. April 6, 2013: At Dazigan, 11 kilometers from Potiskum, Yobe State, 20 died in an accident. April 11, 2013: 10 died on the Damaturu-Gashua Road also in Yobe State. April 14, 2013: Seven died on the Abuja-Lokoja Road, a car ran into an articulated vehicle. April 15, 2013: Five died on the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway. By the middle of April, 142 people had died from reported motor accidents, 30 per cent of the 473 deaths recorded in 2012 had been covered in only 15 days! There could be more unreported cases, and as often happens, some of the injured die without making the statistics. This paper examines road traffic accident problems in Nigeria. The causes of accidents and their general preventive measures are discussed. A review of literature on road traffic accidents and it impact was done. The articles were accessed from public libraries, as well as online through internet search engines and relevant information extracted. There is need to view road traffic accident as a very serious issue requiring urgent attention aimed at preventing untimely deaths, reducing the health, social and economic impacts it portends to the average Nigerian. Keywords: Road traffic accident, Nigeria, Vehicle, Causes, Preventive measures