PERFORMANCE OF CONCRETE MADE USING PALM KERNEL SHELLS AS A PARTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR COARSE AGGREGATE

ALHASSAN, A. YUNUSA, EKERE, J. T. And IBRAHIM, A. DANJUMA

Department of Civil Engineering

Federal Polytechnic Idah, P.M.B. 1037, Idah, Nigeria

E-mail: alhassanay@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: The high cost of conventional construction material is a dominating factor affecting housing system around the world. This has necessitated work into alternative materials in the construction industry. This study presents results of an investigation into the potentials of using Palm Kernel Shells (PKS) in concrete production as partial replacement for coarse aggregate. Concretes cubes were cast using two concrete mixtures (0.5 and 0.7 w/c ratio) with PKS used to replace the coarse aggregate content in the mixtures at a percentage of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30%. The compressive strength and porosity of the cast concrete cubes were evaluated at 7, 14 and 28 days. It was observed that the compressive strength decreases at a rate of 3.3 Nmm^-2, 3.6 Nmm^-2 and 4.0 Nmm^-2 at 28 days for 0.5 w/c mix and 3.1Nmm^-2, 2.9Nmm^-2, and 3.3Nmm^-2at 28days for 0.7w/c mix per unit percentage increase in PKS content. The following results were obtained for the porosity test at 28 days; 0.24, 0.28 and 0.39 for 0.5 w/c ratio and 0.15, 0.17 and 0.21 for 0.7 w/c ratio. It was observed that, while strength decreases, porosity increases per unit percentage increase in PKS content. The density of concrete cubes decreases as the curing age and PKS addition increases. It was concluded that PKS can be used to replace coarse aggregate up to 20% before drastic reduction in property become noticeable.