Effect of moisture on the compressive strength of low-strength hollow concrete blocks

In order to study the effect of moisture on the compressive strength of low-strength hollow concrete blocks, an experimental study was carried out on 96 samples of locally manufactured hollow concrete blocks collected from three different locations. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted on dry specimens and three types of saturated specimens with moisture contents of 30%, 50% and 80% respectively. The range of moisture content adopted covered the range within which the concrete block samples are saturated in the dry and monsoon seasons. The compressive strength of low-strength hollow concrete blocks decreases with increase in moisture content and the relationship between compressive strength of hollow concrete blocks and their moisture content can be considered to be linear. However, the strength degradation of 30% moist concrete blocks with respect to dry blocks is relatively low and can be considered to be comparable to dry concrete blocks. A formula indicating the relationship between the moisture content and compressive strength of low-strength hollow concrete blocks is also proposed.