Effect of Curing Methods on the Compressive Strength of Palm Kernel Shell Aggregate Concrete

Abstract

High cost of building construction in the country has remained a major source of concern to successive government in the nation. Building materials constitute approximately 60-70% of the building cost. In view of this, the need for alternate building materials is imminent. This research work focuses on assessment of effect of different curing methods on the compressive strength of palm kernel shell aggregate concrete. All materials were collected at Ede, Osun state. The stages involved in this research are material collection, batching and mixing, casting of concrete cubes, slump test, curing, and compressive strength test. The tests carried out were x-ray fluorescence, slump test and compressive strength. Four different curing methods were used; water, air, salt water, and detergent to cure concrete with two mixing ratios of 1:2:4 and 1:1½:3. It can be observed that the Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) contains mainly Iron (Fe), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Manganese (Mn) elements and other impurities. From the slump test results, it can be deduced that 1:1½:3 gave a better slump as expected. The compressive strength of cube ranges from 2.244 to 3.852N/mm2 Based on the results, the curing methods has a significant effect on the compressive strength of the PKS aggregate concrete.