Engineering properties of fibre reinforced lightweight geopolymer concrete using palm oil biowastes

ABSTRACT

This paper reports the findings of an experimental programme to investigate the development of a structural lightweight concrete mixture using geopolymer binder and palm oil biowastes. Several concrete mixes were prepared using fly ash-based geopolymer binder, crushed palm oil clinker as asource for lightweight aggregate (POCA), and oil palm trunk fibre (OPTF)as a natural fibre reinforcement. POCA was added at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% as volume percentages from total aggregate. OPTF was added at 1%, 2%, and 3% as volume percentages of the mixture. The produced concrete mixtures were evaluated in terms of fresh and harden properties and structural efficiency. The results revealed that OPTF can be used at full replacement level to produce structural lightweight concrete having a compressive strength of more than 30 MPa. In terms of structural efficiency, the optimum POCA content was found at 75% replacement. The optimum OPTF content was found at 1%. Incorporation of POCA and OPTF at any percentage reduced the durability of the concrete produced against acid attack. Yet, the produced mixtures provided good resistance superior to that of conventional concrete. The use of a geopolymer binder boosted the workability, mechanical properties, and durability of the mixtures produced.

KEYWORDS:

• Fibre
• geopolymer
• oil palm
• fly ash
• lightweight concrete
• mechanical properties

Acknowledgments

This research work was conducted in the concrete laboratory at the Civil Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ahmad B. Malkawi

Ahmad B. Malkawi is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan. He has obtained his doctorate degree in structural and materials engineering from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia in 2018. He has 10 years of teaching experience.  His research interests include Nondestructive testing and evaluation of civil engineering structures, development and evaluation of green civil construction materials and composites, numerical modeling and optimization, repair and strengthening of concrete structures.

Maan Habib

Dr. Maan Habib is currently an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan. He has obtained his Ph.D. in civil engineering from Zagazig University, Egypt in 2000.  His research interests encompass spatial analysis, GIS, map projection, land-use management, concrete technology, and behavior of sustainable construction materials.

Jamal Aladwan

Dr. Jamal Aladwan is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan. He has obtained his Ph.D. in building materials and constructions from Vinnytsia State Technical University, Ukraine in 1998.  His research interest is in construction materials.

Yazan Alzubi

Dr. Yazan Alzubi is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan. he has obtained his Ph.D. in civil engineering from the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Malaysia in 2016. his research interest is on construction management and materials.