CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
This research work means to determine the different properties of sandcastle blocks moulded with a locally excavated sand, in terms of compressive strength, durability and cost and economic importance, and that of River Sand.  And after, compare the two strengths of the sandcrete which will help in recommending the right give the desired strength for the designed strength for a particular purpose.
NSUDE as case study, Nsude is in Udi, Enugu west, Enugu State.
1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Sandcrete is a yellow-white building material made from a binder (Portland cement), sand in a ratio of circa 1:8, and water. Sometime other ingredients may be added to reduce the amount of Portland cement such as “pozzolanas and rice husk ash”. Sandcrete is similar but weaker than mortan for which the ratio is 1:5.
Sandcrete is usually used as hollow rectangular blocks similar to concrete masonry units, often 45cm (18”) wide, 15cm (5.9”) thick and 30cm (12”) with hollows that run from top to bottom and occupy around one third of the volume of the block.
1.2  STRENGTH AND USAGE
The final compressive strength of sandcrete can be as high as 4.6N/mm2 which is much less than concrete’s 40N/mm2. Sandcrete is unsuitable for load-bearing columns, and is mainly used for
walling of a house
–      making a fence
–      Septic tank and soak away tank’s
–      Building a generator’s house.
In Nigeria, measured strength of commercial available sandcrete blocks was found to be between 0.5 and 1N/mm2, which is well below the 3.5N/mm2 that is legally required. This development may be due to the need of the manufacturers to keep the price low, and since the main cost-factor is the Portland cement, they reduce that, which results in a block that starts behaving more like loose sand.