Journal of Applied Sciences1812-56541812-5662Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jas.2009.1764.1769MahmudH. MahmudH. MahmudH. MahmudH. MahmudH. JumaatM.Z. JumaatM.Z. JumaatM.Z. AlengaramU.J. AlengaramU.J. JumaatM.Z. JumaatM.Z. AlengaramU.J. AlengaramU.J. AlengaramU.J. 9200999An experimental investigation was carried out to improve
the mechanical properties of Palm Kernel Shell Concrete (PKSC) by varying
sand content and incorporating mineral admixtures, to achieve strength
of 35 MPa. The mineral admixtures included 10% silica fume as additional
cementitious material and 5% class F fly ash as cement replacement material.
Sand to cement ratio (s/c) was varied between 1.0 and 1.6 and superplasticizer
was added to all mixes to provide adequate workability. Twenty-eight days
saturated density and compressive strength of the concrete were in the
range of 1850-1960 kg m-3and 28-38 MPa, respectively. Increase
in sand content has positive influence on the mechanical properties of
concrete. When the sand to cement ratio was increased from 1.0 to 1.6,
increase in 28 day compressive strength by about 24% was noted for a small
density increase of about 4%. The other mechanical properties such as
flexural and splitting tensile strengths were found in the range of 2.76-4.76
and 1.9-2.61 MPa, respectively over a period of 90 day. The static modulus
of elasticity was in the range of 8-11 GPa. These results confirm that
the combined use of maximum sand to cement ratio of 1.6 and mineral admixtures
have significant influence on the mechanical properties as compared to
the previous research findings. The addition of silica fume resulted in
cohesive mix and use of a superplasticizer can provide slump in the range
of 65-105 mm. However, an increase of s/c ratio beyond 1.6 is likely to
increase the concrete density above 2000 kg m-3.]]>Abdullah, A.A.A.,19841984pp: 624636Olanipekun, E.A., K.O. Olusola and O. Ata,200641297301Basri, H.B, M.A. Mannan and M.F.M. Zain,199929619622Clarke, J.L.,19931st Edn.,FIP,19832nd Edn.,Okafor, F.O.,198818901910Mannan, M.A. and C. Ganapathy,200439441448Neville, A.M.,19964th Edn.,Robert, L., S. Lindon, W. Peter and R. Ray,20032003pp: 43-45pp: 43-45