Water absorption and acid resistance of oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete containing fly ash as partial cement replacement

The massive use of aggregates in concrete industry leads to depletion of natural stone such as gravel and granite. The overuse of cement in construction industry causes many environmental problems. In light of environmental impact, the discussion has increasingly focused on using alternative plant-based material and processes such as oil palm shell (OPS) and fly ash (FA) as partial cement replacement. This research is conducted to determine the durability of oil palm shell concrete in terms of porosity, water absorption and acid resistance in concrete containing fly ash. All the specimens were prepared and subjected to curing until 60 days. The condition of curing employed is air curing. The results demonstrate that the concrete with FA have lower compressive strength. The porosity and water absorption of concrete increase when content of FA used is increased. Concrete containing larger amount of FA exhibit higher mass loss and strength deterioration after immersed in sulphuric acid solution. Conclusively, the durability of OPS concrete reduces as larger amount of FA is used

Properties of oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete containing fly ash as partial cement replacement

In Malaysia, the growing palm oil business and increasing energy consumption that pushes more coals supply for power generation at power plants generates by-products. A large amount of oil palm shell from palm oil mills and fly ash from coal power plant still disposed as waste. At the same time, the expanding cement and granite industry to cater the construction industry need also causes environmental degradation that requires solution. Thus, incorporation of the industrial solid wastes as alternative mixing ingredient in production of zero granite concrete production is seen as one of the viable approach to reduce waste thrown at landfill. The present research investigates the mechanical performance of palm oil waste lightweight aggregate concrete containing fly ash as supplementary cementitious material. Five concrete mixes were prepared by varying the quantity of fly ash added that is 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% by the weight of cement. All specimens were air cured until the testing age. Then, the specimens were tested to determine compressive strength and flexural strength up to 28 days. The finding shows that integration of fly ash up to 30% produces concrete that is suitable for load bearing application. Conclusively, approach of integrating fly ash in lightweight aggregate concrete would reduce cement consumption and fly ash disposal

Durability properties of oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete containing fly ash as partial cement replacement

Environmental degradation resulting from waste disposal from coal power plants and palm oil mills along with greenhouse gasses released by cement manufacturing industry needs to be resolved. Realizing that the use of zero granite lightweight aggregate concrete is rewarding in terms of environmental sustainability and construction cost reduction through reduced foundation size, the present research delves further in oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete research. The influence of fly ash as partial cement replacement on compressive strength, porosity and acid resistance of oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete were investigated. Five types of concrete mixes were casted by replacing fly ash from 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% by weight of cement. All the cubes were before subjected to air curing for 28 days. Testing to determine the compressive strength and porosity of concrete were conducted at 28 days of curing age. The acid resistance of concretes was evaluated by measuring the mass loss of the cubes after immersed in sulphuric acid solution for 75 days. The findings show that air cured oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete exhibit strength reduction and increment in porosity value when the fly ash added is increased. Concrete produced with lesser quantity of fly ash experience lower mass loss and strength reduction