dc.description.abstract |
The national housing policy of Ghana which was approved by cabinet in 2010, advocates
the use of local building materials for the construction of buildings. It is against this
background, that in recent years many studies have been conducted to find cheap but
useful local building materials to replace the conventional ones which are to some extent
expensive. Cement is one of the most important elements in building construction works
which is relatively expensive. This research seeks to study the possibility of utilizing
palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) as cement extender in concrete production. The study
aimed at finding the chemical composition of PKSA, strength and durability properties of
concrete produced from OPC with partial replacement of PKSA. The palm kernel shell
was burnt, sieved and was tested at a chemistry laboratory and then compared with the
chemical composition of OPC. The PKSA was used to prepare concrete cubes at
replacement levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, cured for 28 days. From the study, it
was evident that PKSA contains chemicals such as Si02 (silicon), Al203 (aluminium),
Fe203 (iron oxide), CaO (calcium oxide), MgO (magnesium oxide) and K2O (potassium
oxide) which are active ingredient in OPC but are not at the required levels. The PKSA
replacement percentage in concrete mix improved workability but water absorption rate
was comparatively high. Compressive strength declined as PKSA increased in the mix as
well as density. The study showed an inverse correlation between compressive strength
and PKSA percentage replacement levels. Following the high water absorption rate of
PKSA concrete, it was not recommended for concrete works in water-logged areas.
Despite the reduction in strength of PKSA concrete, 5% replacement is recommended for
normal concrete works |
en_US |