Short Term Investigation on Sulphate Resistance of Oil Palm Shell Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Containing Palm Oil Fuel Ash as Partial Cement Replacement

K Muthusamy,N.A Zamri

doi:10.19026/rjaset.11.1679

Abstract

This research aims to produce an environmental friendly oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete containing palm oil fuel ash of good strength and durability against sulphate attack which is suitable to be applied in construction industry. This study discusses the performance of oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete containing palm oil fuel ash as partial cement replacement in sulphate environment. Concrete cubes produced using ranges of palm oil fuel ash from 0 to 40% were water cured for 28 days before tested for determination of compressive strength. The compressive strength test was conducted in accordance to BS EN 12390:3. Sulphate resistance test was conducted on plain specimen and mix containing 20% POFA which strength performance is the best. Both specimens were immersed in sodium sulphate solution for 45 weeks. The results indicate integration of suitable percentage of palm oil fuel ash enhances the compressive strength and sulphate resistance of oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete. Inclusion of this ash consumes calcium hydroxide through pozzolanic reaction generating secondary calcium silicate hydrate gel thus assisting the concrete to be denser, stronger and more resistance to sulphate attack compared to plain specimen.

Highlights

Malaysia being one of the largest palm oil producers in the globe has been generating abundant by-products known as Oil Palm Shell (OPS) and Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA)
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), local river sand, supplied tap water, oil palm shell, palm oil fuel ash and superplasticizer are among the materials used to produce the specimen in this experimental work
Realizing that calcium silicate hydrate is a major strength-providing reaction product of cement hydration, which act as a porosity reducer resulting in a dense microstructure in concrete (Safiuddin et al, 2007), it justified that larger amount of C-S-H products would contribute to higher strength achievement as can be observed in specimen produced using 20% of palm oil fuel ash which outshines all the mixes

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Malaysia being one of the largest palm oil producers in the globe has been generating abundant by-products known as Oil Palm Shell (OPS) and Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA). These solid wastes were thrown at the dumping site causes environmental pollution. Around 6.89 million tonnes of Oil Palm Shell (OPS) (Chong et al, 2013) and 2.6 million tonnes of Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) were produced (MPOB, 2010) Looking at these scenarios, dumping of these wastes is not suitable approach to be applied for long term waste management plan as more sites would be needed for disposing this waste which would hike the cost of waste handling. The discussion in this paper elaborated the behavior of oil palm shell lightweight aggregate concrete containing palm oil fuel upon exposure to sulphate environment

METHODOLOGY

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION