Evaluation of oil palm shells and mask fiber on the flexural strength of pre- and post-corrosion concrete

Abstract

One of the innovations in concrete technology that is also in line with reducing industrial and community waste is making mask fiber concrete mixed with oil palm shells as an aggregate substitute. In this research, 10% oil palm shells were used with mask fiber added at 0.2% of the specimen volume to increase the flexural strength value of corroded concrete. Tests include corrosion acceleration tests and concrete mechanical properties such as flexural strength, density, and ductility. There are two specimens, namely pre- and post-corrosion concrete. With the acceleration process, pre-corrosion specimens are carried out on the reinforcement before the concrete molding process, while post-corrosion specimens are accelerated by corrosion after the concrete is 28 days old. Tests on pre- and post-corrosion specimens show differences in the properties and characteristics of the concrete mechanical properties test results. The flexural strength value of post-corrosion concrete tends to increase with increasing corrosion. Meanwhile, the flexural strength value of pre-corrosion concrete experienced a decreasing trend along with increasing levels of corrosion.