Mechanical Properties of Concrete with Agricultural Waste as a Partial Substitute for Granite as Coarse Aggregate

  • Joshua Chukwuemeka Emeghai Structural Engineering, University of Benin, Nigeria
  • Ogheneale Umukoro Orie Civil/Structural Engineering, University of Benin, Nigeria
Keywords: Agriculture, Blended Cement, Compressive Strength, Construction, Substitute

Abstract

The paper investigated the effect of using Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) as a partial substitute for granite as coarse aggregate in concrete production, aimed at developing an alternative form of construction material without compromising structural integrity. Randomly sourced dried and undried palm kernel shells, were used to replace coarse aggregate by weight to a standard mix ratio of 1:2:4:0.54. The dried shells were obtained by heating in an improvised oven at 800C. The physical and geotechnical properties of the aggregates were determined. Results showed that the aggregate impact value of granite and PKS used were 0.228 and 0.104 respectively. The substitution of the coarse aggregate was varied from 0% to 20%. A slump test was used to determine the workability of the fresh concrete. A total of 108 concrete cubes measuring 100mm×100mm×100mm were investigated at 7days, 14days, 21days and 28days. The control mix gave compressive strengths of 25.67 N/mm2, 29.83 N/mm2, 31.33 N/mm2 and 35.67 N/mm2 at 7, 14, 21 and 28days respectively. The compressive strengths of undried PKS cement blended concrete and dried PKS substitute at 5% were 23.17 N/mm2, 27.00 N/mm2, 28.00 N/mm2, 26.00 N/mm2 and 17.50 N/mm2, 16.17 N/mm2, 18.16 N/mm2, 20.00 N/mm2 respectively for 7, 14, 21 and 28days curing periods. The highest compressive strength of 28.00 N/mm2 decreased by 21.50% from the control of 35.67 N/mm2. This compressive strength is adequate for light weight construction works as specified by BS EN 206:2013.

Author Biography

Ogheneale Umukoro Orie, Civil/Structural Engineering, University of Benin, Nigeria

Head of Department (Civil/Structural Engineering, University of Benin) and Professor of Structural Engineering 

Published
2021-06-05
How to Cite
[1]
J. Emeghai and O. Orie, “Mechanical Properties of Concrete with Agricultural Waste as a Partial Substitute for Granite as Coarse Aggregate”, PakJET, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 5-12, Jun. 2021.