A Study of development and performance of sulphur-based construction blocks

Abstract

The projected surplus of sulphur, when the proposed gas liquifaction programs in Saudi Arabia become fully operational, has stimulated research to investigate the feasibility of gainful consumption of this material in construction industry.

In this study an attempt has been made to construct sulphur based construction blocks using sand, sulphur and marl. Two methods were adopted in making sulphur-marl blocks. In one method a suitable dry mix of sand, marl and powder sulphur was mixed with water and molded to form a block, which was then dried in a heated oven. This was followed by raising the temperature to melt the sulphur within the body. This process yielded blocks having relatively low strength and durability, though the blocks were of perfect shape and formation.

In the second method the design proportions of only sand and marl were mixed with water and this mixture was lightly compacted to construct a block which was dried and then immersed in molten sulphur for infiltration. The finished blocks thus produced showed good compressive strength and durability leading to the conclusion that the proposed method can be used successfully in manufacturing good quality blocks. A long term durability study of sulphur sand specimens with and without filler was undertaken by subjecting the specimen to alternate wetting and drying cycles for a period of 9 months. The results showed that the material is durable and can be successfully used as a construction material in hot and humid environment.