Compressive Strength Study of Self-Curing Concrete Using Red Clay and Black Cotton Soil Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregates (LECA)

This study seeks to determine the effects of red clay and black cotton soil lightweight expanded clay aggregates (LECA), as a self- curing agent, on the compressive strength of self-curing concrete. Compressive strength test was done on 150x150x150 mm concrete cubes made of black cotton and red clay LECA. Concrete cubes of varying percentage of LECA content by weight of fine aggregates were cast and tested at 7, 14 and 28 days. For both red clay and black cotton soil LECA, the results showed that the compressive strength increases with increase percentage LECA content with maximum compressive strength being attained at 15 % LECA content then decreases thereafter. The compressive strength of the concrete with 15 % LECA content at 28th day was higher than the one with 0 % LECA by around 18 %. Incorporation of red clay and black cotton soil LECA as partial replacement of fine aggregate into self-curing concrete as a self-curing agent increases the compressive strength of concrete.