ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF CASSAVA WASTE WATER ON THE COMPRESSIVE AND FLEXURAL STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

BY

ODEYEMI, S.O.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, OFFA, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

ADEYEMI, A.O.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, OFFA, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA DECEMBER, 2015

ABSTRACT

Cassava is a woody shrub within the Euphorbiaceous family that is native to South America. It is cultivated as an annual crop and is famous for its starchy tuberous root which is a major source of carbohydrates. Nigeria is one of the leading producers of Cassava in the world. Cassava wastewater has a high organic content and it is generated when processing cassava tubers into food, feed, starch and other products. Currently, there is neither a specific method of disposal or of treating the cyanide-laden wastewater resulting from cassava processing in Nigeria nor any government policy guidelines. This research works aims to assess the effect cassava waste water has on the compressive and flexural strength of three mix ratios of concrete which are 1:4:8, 1:3:6 and 1:2:4 mix ratios. The results obtained shows that the density of concrete is not affected by mixing or curing with cassava wastewater. It was also noted that the introduction of cassava wastewater in concrete whether for mixing or for curing brought about the reduction in the compressive and flexural strength of concrete.

Thus, cassava wastewater has an adverse effect on concrete. A proper way of disposing cassava wastewater should be sought to prevent effect on concrete structures.