Long term studies on compressive strength of high volume ultrafine palm oil fuel ash mortar mixes

Abstract

The long term characteristics of nano palm oil fuel ash in the mortar were investigated. This study covers basic properties like the morphology, porosity, compressive strength and microstructure properties with regards to the variations in the mix design process of mortar. To get a better performance in terms of strength development, the ash used has gone through heat treatment and was ground up to nano size. The mortar mixes were cast in 70x70x70mm cubes for compressive strength test. The incorporation of more than 80% nano size palm oil fuel ash as cement replacement has produced a mortar having a compressive strength more than OPC mortar at a later age. By treating the palm oil fuel ash to nano size, help reduce the cost of expensive admixture for improving the compressive strength of mortar. The results also revealed that the compressive strength of mortar using nano size palm oil fuel ash shows higher value as compared to initial strength at the later age of 1 year by 25%. The porosity of 80% nano palm oil fuel ash mortar reduced 51% as the age of curing increased. The overall results have revealed that the inclusion of high volume nano palm oil fuel ash can produce a mortar mix with high strength, low porosity, good quality and most importantly that is more sustainable.