Performance of Concrete Using Partial Replacement of Cement by Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA): Eco-Friendly Concrete Composite

Abstract

Amongst the potential solutions to a cleaner environment is to minimize the consumption of non-biodegradable materials and to reduce wastes. Palm oil fuel ash (POFA) is a waste material generated in power plants as a result of the combustion of palm oil industry waste for the generation of electricity. They are generally disposed to open fields causing traffic hazards besides potential of health hazards and environmental pollution problems. The utilization of solid waste in the sustainable constructions has concerned much attention due to the lower cost of wastes along with saving a necessary place of landfills. Due to its abundance and high pozzolanic characteristics, many researchers have evaluated its potential as a construction material; it can be utilized to partially replace cement in a concrete mix. In this present study the workability on fresh concrete, compressive strength test and split tensile strength test were carried out on hardened concrete by replacing cement with 10%, 20% and 30% of POFA. It is shown that the workability increases with addition of Palm Oil Fuel Ash. It is then compared with normal M25grade concrete and it has been observed that 10% replacement of POFA gives the highest compressive and split tensile strength.