Abstract

Continuous research into the possibility of discovering new material that is fit or can be made fit for use, in structural concrete, is necessary in the quest to attain sustainability in structural concrete production and practice. The results of investigation conducted to assess the structural performance of concrete with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) fraction partly replaced by empty palm oil brunch ash (EPO-FBA) are presented in this paper. The properties assessed are: consistency, setting times of paste with EPO-FBA. Others are workability, density, compressive and tensile strength of concrete specimens containing EPO-FBA. All investigations were conducted in accordance with relevant international standards. The results showed that (i) specimens containing EPO-FBA requires higher water demand to attain standard consistency, (ii) specimens with EPO-FBA were cohesive concrete, but with low workability, (iii). Densities of samples with EPO-FBA are in the ranges meant for normal structural concrete application, (iv) though the compressive strength of concrete with EPO-FBA decrease with increasing content of EPO-FBA, usage up to 10% replacement value of ordinary Portland cement developed compressive strength comparable to the control. Expressions developed relating the splitting tensile strength to the compressive strength showed a very good correlation