Investigation of Performance of Lime Treated Palm Kernel Shell and Sugarcane Bagasse Ash as Partial Replacements of Coarse Aggregate and Cement Respectively In Concrete

Abstract

This experimental research is focused on the effect of concrete made by incorporating lime treated Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) & Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) as partial replacements of coarse aggregates and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) respectively. An experimental analysis for concrete grade 30 with a mix design ratio of 1:1.97:3.71 of cement: fine aggregates: coarse aggregates and a constant water to cement ratio of 0.5, was used. Physical tests such as workability on fresh concrete and water absorption on hardened concrete of each batch were carried out. Mechanical tests like compressive strength and split tensile strength were carried out on hardened concrete cubes (100mm × 100mm × 100mm) and cylinders (100mm × 200mm) at 7, 28, 45 and 90 days. The durability of the concrete, such as: weight loss, sulphuric acid attack, sodium hydroxide attack were carried out. The experimental results obtained in the study indicate the possibility of using up 15% of lime treated PKS and 10% of SCBA for production of structural concrete. But based on the target strength, the optimum value of lime treated PKS and SCBA should be determined in order to achieve the strength.