Comparative Effect of Grinded and Ungrinded Palm Kernel Shell on the Strength of Pavers

Abstract

Paving stones are increasing, being used by corporate bodies and individual for its functionalities and aesthetic value, the production of pavers over the years have been specifically carried out using stone dust which is relatively expensive and not readily affordable to the common man. This study was carried out to determine comparative effect of grinded and un-grinded palm kernel shell on the strength of pavers. Stone dust, river sand, grinded palm kernel shell, un-grinded palm kernel shell and cement were combine in different ratio namely,T1(4,0,0,0,l), T2(0,2,2,0,l), T3 (1,2,0,1,1), T4(1,1,2,0,l), T5(1,1,0,2,l), T6(0,2,l ,l,1) respectively to form six treatment with two replicates. The pavers were tested for weight and strength properties, T3 has the highest value of the mean weight while T1 has the lowest value. T3 (stone dust (1),river sand (2), un-grinded palm kernel shell (1) and 25kg of cement (1)), T1(stone dust (4) and 25kg of cement (1)).Also, the compressive strength results show that T3 also has the highest value of 127Mpa(Mega pascal) whileT6 has the lowest value of 33Mpa (Mega pascal). The data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the difference in the strength of the pavers. The analysis of variance shows that there is no significant difference between the compressive strength of the treatments. The colour of the paver shows that the paver produced with river sand and un-grinded palm kernel shell is brighter and stronger than others, it is then recommended that T3 can be used in the production of pavers because it is strong and can also withstand environmental stress.