Effects of Palm Kernel Shell Ash on Some Structural Properties of Concrete with Recycled Coarse Aggregates

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an investigation conducted to determine some structural properties of concrete made with recycled coarse aggregates but containing (PKSA) as partial replacement of cement by weight. Cement was replaced with palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) up to 50% by weight at interval of 5% to produce the concrete used in the investigation. The properties investigated were: setting times, workability, compressive strength, and tensile strength. The results showed that: (i) higher setting times and reduced workability resulted with PKSA, (ii) reduction in compressive strength beyond 20% cement replacement with PKSA, (iii) the tensile strengths of the concrete specimens increase with curing age but reduce with increase in PKSA content in the mix, with the ratios of tensile splitting strength to compressive strength of PKSA blended cement concrete of 13 and 20 % for all the specimens