CHAPTER THREE

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY

1. Banana leaves

2. Cement (Dangote Cement)

3. Fine aggregate (sand)

4. Coarse aggregate (gravel)

5. Water

6. Slump cone

7. Concrete mixer

8. Curing tank

9. Weighing balance

10. Oven

11. Sieves

12. Automatic density meter

3.2 Methodology

3.2.1 Production of Banana Leaf Ash (BLA)

Collection of banana leaves: Banana leaves would be collected from FUTMinna research farrm

Preparation of Ash: Banana leaf ash will be produced by heating the leaves of the banana tree

up to 900 degrees Celsius in a furnace and then grinding the burnt leaves in a ball mill. This fine
powder is composed of Silicon Oxide, Calcium Oxide. The existence of Silicon oxide is very

important as it reacts with calcium hydroxide to form calcium silicate hydrate. Calcium

hydroxide is released during the hydration process of cement. (Shah and Ali, 2023).

3.2.2 Determination of Physical Properties of Ingredients

The physical property of the ingredient to be determined would be density, using Automatic

density meter, and size of ingredient using a Micrometer.

Cement:

Specific gravity: Will be measured using the Automatic density machine

Fine aggregate:

Specific gravity: Will be measured using the Automatic density machine

Fineness: size of the fine aggregate will be measured using micrometer, the average size will be

calculated

Coarse aggregate:

Specific gravity: Will be measured using the Automatic density machine

Fineness: size of the Coarse aggregate will be measured using micrometer, the average size will

be calculated

3.2.4 Preparation of Concrete Mixtures

Control mix (100% cement): A control mix with 100% cement and no BLA will be prepared to

serve as a reference point for comparing the properties of concrete with BLA.
Cement, sand aggregate and water are weighed and measured according to the mix design and

poured into a mixing vessel the mixing process begins with the addition of cement and sand into

the vessel followed by the gradual addition of water while the mixture is stirred using a shovel or

a mechanical mixer the mixing continues until a uniform paste is achieved free of lumps and

excess water the mixture is then poured into the desired mold or formwork and vibrated using a

vibrating machine to remove any air pockets and ensure compaction finally the concrete will be

left to set and harden before being demolded.

BLA mixtures (replacement levels: 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% by weight of cement):

Conceret will be prepared using by replacing cement by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% respectively,

BLA, Cement, sand aggregate and water are weighed and measured according to the mix design

and poured into a mixing vessel the mixing process begins with the addition of cement and sand

into the vessel followed by the gradual addition of water while the mixture is stirred using a

shovel or a mechanical mixer the mixing continues until a uniform paste is achieved free of

lumps and excess water the mixture is then poured into the desired mold or formwork and

vibrated using a vibrating machine to remove any air pockets and ensure compaction finally the

concrete will be left to set and harden before being demolded.

3.2.5 Testing of Fresh Concrete Properties

Slump test: The slump test is a laboratory test used to measure the workability and consistency

of fresh concrete. It involves filling a cone-shaped mold with concrete, then lifting the mold,

allowing the concrete to slump. The distance the concrete settles is measured, indicating its
workability and ability to flow. A higher slump value indicates a more fluid concrete, while a

lower value indicates a stiffer mix. The test helps engineers determine the optimal mix design

and ensure the concrete meets project requirements.

Unit weight: The unit weight test, also known as the density test, is a process used to determine

the weight of fresh concrete per unit volume. It involves filling a container of known volume

with concrete, scraping off any excess, and then weighing the concrete. The unit weight is

calculated by dividing the weight of the concrete by the volume of the container. This test helps

engineers determine the density of the concrete, which is essential for calculating the volume of

concrete required for a project and ensuring the mix design meets the required specifications.

3.2.6 Testing of Hardened Concrete Properties

Compressive strength: The compressive strength test involves preparing concrete cubes or

cylinders and curing them for 28 days. The specimens will then be placed in a compression

testing machine and subjected to gradually increasing load until failure. The maximum load is

recorded and used to calculate the compressive strength.

Tensile strength: The tensile strength test involves preparing concrete beams or cylinders and

curing them for 28 days. The specimens are then mounted in a universal testing machine and

subjected to a gradual pull until failure. The maximum load is recorded and used to calculate the

tensile strength.

Durability tests (e.g. water absorption, acid resistance): Durability tests include water

absorption and acid resistance tests. In the water absorption test, concrete samples are dried in an

oven and then submerged in water for a specified time. The increase in weight is measured to
calculate water absorption. In the acid resistance test, concrete samples are submerged in an

acidic solution for a specified time and then evaluated for damage or mass loss to determine acid

resistance. These tests help engineers design and develop structures that can withstand various

environmental and structural stresses.

3.2.7 Statistical Analysis

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare means of different groups

Regression analysis to predict the relationship between BLA content and concrete properties