Deformation behaviour of self-compacting concrete containing high volume palm oil fuel ash

Abstract

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is an advanced type of concrete that can be placed and compacted under its own mass without vibration. SCC is used to facilitate and ensure proper filling and good structural performance of restricted areas and heavily reinforced structural members. SCC is a flowing concrete with high workability. Although SCC can be proportioned with a wide range of aggregates, the selection of favorable aggregate characteristics can significantly enhance the economy and performance of SCC. Using supplementary cementitious materials can reduce the cost of cement. One of the potential recycle materials from palm oil industry is palm oil fuel ash (POFA). The objectives of the research project were to evaluate the effects of high volume POFA characteristics and mixture proportions on the deformation behaviour of SCC. This study outlines laboratory tests, which was conducted by the replacement levels of 0%, 50% and 70% of POFA instead of OPC by the weight, with water-binder ratio of 0.4. Target properties for SCC workability were studied as a function of the application and in terms of filling ability, passing ability, segregation resistance. These include slump flow, J-ring, and V-funnel at T5minutes for fresh properties and compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, creep, shrinkage, and modulus of elasticity tests for harden properties. Test specimens comprising of cube, cylinder and prism were prepared and tested at 7, 28, 56 and 90 days. Results obtained in this study reveals that high volume palm oil fuel ash used in self-compacting concrete exhibited satisfactory performance, particularly at later ages.