EFFECT OF NEEM ASH PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF CEMENT ON THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

The study presents the Effect of Neem ash partial replacement of cement on the compressive strength of concrete for construction purpose, To carry out a preliminary test on the mixture of ashes and aggregates to determine its physical properties and To compare the compressive strength of this concrete and that of a conventional one (control).The research question addressed is the correlation/comparison between conventional concrete and the one whose cement is partially replaced by wood ash. Physical analysis of the mixed ashes and aggregates used were conducted to determine its suitability in the concrete. Mix ratio of 1:2:4 and percentage replacement level of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% cement by wood ash were used 100mm by 100mm cubes were cast, cured and crushed at 7, 14 and 28 days to determine their compressive strength. The results show significant variations between conventional concrete and the ones whose cement were replaced by wood ash and the compressive strength of tested cubes after 7, 14 days were all decreases and for 28 days of curing decreases in strength from 0%-10%, increases appreciably for 15% and then later decreases for 20%.The study concludes that the optimum replacement level is 15% and can be used for ramps, floor slabs and other structural works of low compressive strength requirement.