Effect of Mixing Ingredient on Compressive Strength of Oil Palm Shell Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Containing Palm Oil Fuel Ash

AbstractThe increasingly generated oil palm shell (OPS) and palm oil fuel ash (POFA) which is a by-product of Malaysian palm oil mills annually, has lead towards the effort of integrating palm oil fuel ash as mineral admixture in lightweight aggregate concrete which produced using 100% oil palm shell as lightweight aggregate. This paper addresses the compressive strength of this oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete upon usage of different ash replacement level, water cement ratio, superplasticiser, sand and cement content. At the early state of investigation, cubes of (100x100x100mm) containing various replacement level of ash were produced and tested for it compressive strength. Then, the 20% replacement levels of POFA which give the highest compressive strength value were used for further experimental work. Experimental work to investigate the effect of water content, percentage of superplasticiser, sand content and amount of cement used were conducted using two types of mixes. Plain oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete (0% POFA) as reference specimen, and oil palm shell lightweight aggregate containing 20% palm oil fuel ash (20% POFA) were prepared in form of cubes. All the specimens were subjected to water curing until the testing date. The compressive strength test was conducted following the procedures in BSEN 12390 – 3 at 28 days. Integration of 20% POFA in oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete leads to production of a greener lightweight aggregate concrete product with optimum strength. Inclusion too much of water should be avoided as it diminishes the concrete compressive strength. Only right formulation of palm oil fuel ash, water, superplasticizer, sand and cement content would be able to produce oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete containing palm oil fuel ash exhibiting optimum strength

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