N. Vattanaprateep,P. Wongthong, P. Peerapong and W.Ponloa
Abstract
This work investigates the improvement of mechanical properties, specifically compressive strength and density, of ventilation blocks through the incorporation of volcanic rocks. The study focuses on optimizing the mixture of volcanic rocks with the aim of enhancing the performance of these blocks. The experimental approach involved utilizing a Universal Testing Machine (UTM-CY-6040A12) for compressive strength analysis. Results indicate that the introduction of volcanic rocks into the ventilation block composition led to notable improvements in compressive strength. The blocks achieved their highest compressive strength at 380 KN when incorporating 5% by weight of mixed rough volcanic rock. Additionally, blocks incorporating 4% by weight of mixed fine-grained volcanic rock demonstrated a compressive strength of 268 KN. It was observed that an increase in the percentage of volcanic rock in the mixture resulted in a decrease in compressive strength. Furthermore, the study explored the impact on block density due to the addition of volcanic rocks. Blocks with a 4% by weight mixture of volcanic rock exhibited the lowest density at 2.180 g/ cm3, showcasing a significant decrease compared to traditional ventilation blocks. Importantly, all blocks incorporating volcanic rocks experienced a reduction in density compared to standard ventilation blocks. The successful outcomes of this research have practical implications for the production of ventilation blocks in collaboration with commercial block factories. These findings offer insights into the optimal mixtures of volcanic rocks, providing a pathway for enhancing both the compressive strength and reducing the density of ventilation blocks for improved overall performance in construction applications.