Performance of Oil Palm Shell Lightweight Concrete Incorporated with Bamboo Fiber

Abstract

Oil palm shell (OPS) as lightweight aggregate is a viable method in fabricating lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC). However, low mechanical properties are the major drawbacks for LWAC confining its structural applications. Inclusion of bamboo fibre is found effective and an economical method for strengthening the LWAC. This paper studied the effects of bamboo fibre on the workability, density, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength of OPS lightweight concrete. Volume fractions of bamboo fibre, 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% were added in the concrete. Results showed that ratio percentages of splitting tensile strength to compressive strength of bamboo fibre reinforced OPS concretes were in the range of 9.3–11.1% which were comparable with normal weight concrete (NWC). The OPS concretes incorporating bamboo fibre had flexural strength to compressive strength ratios greater than the conventional LWAC. This signifies that bamboo fibre can improve significantly the flexural strength of OPS concrete.