ABSTRACT
Pozzolanic materials, either natural or artificial, have been used for long in concrete construction. Being artificial pozzolana, fly ash and later rice husk ash has gained popularity as cementitious material in many parts of the world. Perhaps the latest addition to the ash family is palm oil fuel ash, a waste material obtained on burning of palm oil shell and husks in palm oil mill boiler that has recently been identified as a good pozzolanic material.
In this study, concrete cube specimens containing 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 percent ash replacement level were cast and tested for compression. Test results on compressive strength reveal that it has been possible to replace 40 percent ash in concrete without any adverse effect on compressive strength. However, the maximum strength gain occurred at the replacement level of 30 percent.
Along with strength data some durability performance of concrete in marine environment including a test to evaluate resistance to acid attack is also presented and discussed. Experimental investigation, based on early data, suggests that palm oil fuel ash can suitably be used as a strong and durable cement replacement material in concrete.
