Strength performance and durability of an Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) concrete

Abstract

The increase in production of palm oil has caused to the emergence of problems in dust removal of oil palm in Malaysia,the world's leading manufacturers. Realizing the problems that arise from this, various ways of solving them is highlighted by studying the nature of Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) to replace the Portland cement (OPC) in construction materials. From the previous studies, it was found that Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) has high potential to be used as construction material. In this study, the effectiveness of (POFA) as replacement materials of Portland cement (OPC) in the production of concrete were studied to determine the optimum percent substitution capable in order to achieve the strength level equivalent to conventional concrete (OPC). Concrete samples produced consists of ordinary concrete (OPC) as control parameters and concrete replacement percentage of (POFA) by 10%, 15% and 20%. There are some tests conducted on samples such as compressive strength, flexural strength test and water absorption tests shows (POFA) with alternating percent to about 15% in concrete mixture achieved the highest level of strength where it has reached and exceeded the level of strength of normal concrete (OPC) as compared to 10 % and 20% (POFA) at 28 days. (POFA) that absorb water compared to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) cause chemical reactions and affect the strength of concrete.