Durability of Lightweight Concrete Using Oil Palm Shell as Aggregates

Yasmine Binta Traore,François Tsobnang,Jean Gerard,William Prince,Kinda Hannawi,Adamah Messan

doi:10.4236/ojce.2021.111001

Abstract

Oil Palm Shell (OPS) concrete can be used in different fields of construction. To determine more accurately the fields of application, it is important to know and understand the behaviour of OPS concrete over the long term and when it is in aggressive environments. This paper presents the results of studies conducted on the durability of OPS concrete. Water absorption capacity, electrical resistivity and apparent diffusion of chloride ions have been measured on different concrete samples. In addition, the behaviour of OPS concretes to carbonation was studied in an environment rich in carbon dioxide. Results show that OPS concrete has an absorptivity of 0.97 kg/m2·h1/2, an electrical resistivity of 64.37 Ω·m and an apparent diffusion coefficient of chloride ions of 3.84 × 10-12 m2/s after 90 days. All these results of OPS concrete are very close to those of concrete with normal aggregate and other lightweight concrete, which mean OPS concretes have globally good properties with regard to durability.

Highlights

The use of oil palm shells (OPS) as aggregates in concrete is an interesting alternative to reduce the negative impact of the concrete industry
This paper presents the results of studies conducted on the durability of Oil Palm Shell (OPS) concrete
This research was carried out to study the influence of OPS on the durability of structural concrete using them as coarse aggregate

Summary

Introduction

The use of oil palm shells (OPS) as aggregates in concrete is an interesting alternative to reduce the negative impact of the concrete industry. Concrete using OPS as aggregate has a density range from 1725 to 2050 kg/m3 which corresponds to a 15% - 25% reduction compared to the density of ordinary concrete [1] This reduction leads to a reduction of dead loads in the structure, and to a reduction of the construction costs [4]. This decrease in the performance of OPS concrete is attributed to the intrinsic properties of OPS These natural aggregates are highly porous, have a high-water absorption capacity and have poor adhesion with the cement matrix. Taking into account these shortcomings and in order to improve the final properties of concrete, a previous article dealt with the influence of different OPS treatments on the physical and mechanical properties of concrete [7]

Methods

Results

Conclusion