Impact of Chikoko Calcination Temperature on the Compressive Strength Properties of Blended Concrete

The environmental impact of the cement industry necessitates the exploration of sustainable alternatives, such as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Chikoko, a clay material from the Niger Delta, has shown potential as an SCM when calcined. This study investigates the impact of calcination temperature on the compressive strength of concrete blended with Chikoko. A total of 375 Samples were prepared with Chikoko calcined at temperatures ranging from 0°C to 800°C and cured for 7,14,21,28, 56 and 120 days. The results reveal that higher calcination temperatures significantly enhance compressive strength across various curing ages. At 200°C, concrete incorporating 10% Chikoko shows a 60.82% strength increase. At 400°C, the strength improvement reaches 93.51% at 7 days, indicating robust early strength development. Calcination at 600°C further enhances strength, with a 4.59% increase at 120 days. The highest improvements are observed at 800°C, with a 10.46% increase at 28 days and 7.39% at 120 days. Optimal Chikoko concentration consistently falls around 10%. The study concludes that higher calcination temperatures and longer curing times significantly boost compressive strength, providing valuable insights for optimizing the mechanical properties of Chikoko blended concrete in construction applications.