Investigation of the Strength Properties of Palm Kernel Shell Ash Concrete

Abstract

Many researchers have studied the use of agro-waste ashes as constituents in concrete. These agro-waste ashes are siliceous or aluminosiliceous materials that, in finely divided form and in the presence of moisture, chemically react with the calcium hydroxide released by the hydration of Portland cement to form calcium silicate hydrate and other cementitious compounds. Palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) is a by-product in palm oil mills. This ash has pozzolanic properties that enables it as a partial replacement for cement but also plays an important role in the strength and durability of concrete. The use of palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) as a partial replacement for cement in concrete is investigated. The objective of this paper is to alleviate the increasing challenges of scarcity and high cost of construction materials used by the construction industry in Nigeria and Africa in general, by reducing the volume of cement usage in concrete works. Collected PKSA was dried and sieved through a 45um sieve. The fineness of the PKSA was checked by sieving through 45um sieve. The chemical properties of the ash are examined whereas physical and mechanical properties of varying percentage of PKSA cement concrete and 100% cement concrete of mix 1:2:4 and 0.5 water-cement ratios are examined and compared. A total of 72 concrete cubes of size 150 × 150 × 150 mm³ with different volume percentages of PKSA to Portland cement in the order 0:100, 10:90 and 30:70 and mix ratio of 1:2:4 were cast and their physical and mechanical properties were tested at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days time. Although the compressive strength of PKSA concrete did not exceed that of OPC, compressive strength tests showed that 10% of the PKSA in replacement for cement was 22.8 N/mm2 at 28 days; which was quite satisfactory with no compromise in compressive strength requirements for concrete mix ratios 1:2:4. This research showed that the use of PKSA as a partial replacement for cement in concrete, at lower volume of replacement, will enhance the reduction of cement usage in concretes, thereby reducing the production cost. This research was carried out at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Effect of Fly Ash on the Compressive Strength of Green Concrete

“…Authors in [15] used Rice Husk Ash (RHA) in concrete and concluded that the compressive and tensile strength of the concrete specimens increased 11.8% and 7.31%, respectively when 10% RHA was used and after 28 days of curing. Authors in [16] used Palm Kernel Shell Ash (PKSA) in concrete to assess the compressive strength and discussed that the use of PKSA as a partial replacement for cement in concrete, at lower volume of replacement, enhances the reduction of cement usage in concrete, thereby reducing production cost. Authors in [17] also studied the effect of fly ash.…”

Microstructural Analysis of Silica Fume Concrete with Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Diffraction

“…For the cement pastes, the binders (i.e., CEM I and silica fume) were first blended in the mixer for three minutes before adding water and mixing for another two minutes. The mixes were then poured into oiled molds of size 150×150×150mm 3 , compacted, and covered for 24 hours. The specimens were then removed from the molds and cured in water at a constant 20±2°C temperature.…”

“…Most of the increase in cement demand will be met by the use of supplementary cementing materials, in order to reduce the green gas emission. Industrial waste, such as blast furnace slag, fly ash, and silica fume are being used as supplementary cement replacement materials and, recently, agricultural waste is also being used as pozzolanic material in concrete [3]. The size of silica fume is hundreds of times smaller than cement particles, causing decrease to the permeability of concrete.…”

Rice Straw and Eggshell Ash as Partial Replacements of Cement in Concrete

“…Concrete is the most popular construction material. It may be used alone as mass concrete or with steel as reinforced or pre-stressed concrete [1,2]. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), which is the main component of various concrete types, is one of the most common construction materials worldwide.…”