Mechanical properties of oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete containing palm oil fuel ash as partial cement replacement

Abstract

The increasing in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as solid waste disposal from the cement manufacturing industry and the Malaysian palm oil industries respectively contributes towards the undesirable 6°C Scenario envisioned by the International Energy Agency. The utilization of Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) as partial cement replacement in the production of Oil Palm Shell (OPS) Lightweight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC) would significantly reduce cement consumption and amount of disposed landfill waste. In this investigation, the effect of POFA content as partial cement replacement towards the compressive strength of OPS lightweight aggregate concrete has been conducted. A total of six OPS LWAC mixtures were prepared with varying the percentages of POFA viz. 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% to determine the best replacement of POFA as partial cement replacement. The ashes were ground to enhance their pozzalanicity. The best replacement of POFA-20 was then used to investigate the mechanical properties of OPS LWAC such as compressive strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity. The concretes containing POFA were placed in different types of curing regimes namely water, air, sprayed and natural weather curing before subjected to compressive strength test and flexural strength test at the age of 28, 60, 180,270 and 365 days. The compressive strength was conducted in accordance with the BS EN12390-3 whilst the flexural strength test was carried out in accordance with the BS EN 12390-5. It was found that water curing is the best method amongst others. OPS LWAC with POFA exhibits the highest results of compressive strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity. The production of extra C-S-H gel resulting from better pozzolanic reaction for water cured OPS LWAC with POFA has contributed to the densification of the internal structure that in turn enhances the concrete strength.

Utilisation of Oil Palm Fibre Biomass Waste as Additives in Foamed Concrete

“…Here, the fibres and the cement matrix achieved high compaction, which resulted in good mix homogeneity with 0.45% fibre inclusion. This finding is also supported by Muthusamy & Zamri (2016), who proved that compressive strength and bulk density are slightly enhanced with low fibre content ranging between 0.3% to 1.5%.…”

Flexural Study of Reinforced Foamed Concrete Beam Containing Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) and Eggshell Powder (ESP) as Partial Cement Replacement

“…(Munir et al, 2015) discovered the compressive strength was reduced until 40% when the 50% POFA as cement replacement added into foamed concrete while other researcher (Tangchirapat & Jaturapitakkul, 2010) found strength of concrete reduced to 84% than control mix with cement replacement 30% POFA. However, other researcher (Momeen et al, 2016;Muthusamy & Zamri, 2016) found use of POFA as partial cement replacement amount 10% to 15% improved the compressive strength of concrete.…”

Mechanical Properties of Low Densities Lightweight Foamed Concrete Strengthen with Raw Empty Fruit Bunch Fibre

“…At 0.45% volume fraction of EFB fibre, the fibres and the cement matrix attained high compaction, which resulted in good mix homogeneity. Compressive strength and bulk density are slightly enhanced with low fibre content ranging between 0.20% to 0.45% [24]. High addition of natural fibre into the LFC mixture, especially the low densities, will retard the hydration process, thus resulting in low strength of LFC although it will gain strength after a certain age [25].…”