Durability and Microstructure Properties of Concrete Reinforced with Empty Palm Oil Fruit Bunch Fiber

Authors: Fapohunda CA, Kilani AJ

DOI Info: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5047802

ABSTRACT

Durability of concrete structures against agents of disintegration is receiving attention because of huge amount of money that is required to repair damaged structures. Presence of pores and voids as well as their distribution in concrete have been found to influence the ability of concrete to resist agents of deterioration. This paper reports the results of investigation conducted to assess the effects of Oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber (OPEFBF) on the durability and microstructure properties of concrete. Water absorption, coefficient of water absorption and coefficient of sorptivity were the durability properties that were assessed, using 100 x 100 x 100 mm concrete cube specimens. The microstructure of concrete samples was investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Crushed concrete samples from the compressive tests of 150×150×150 mm concrete cubes after 28 days of curing were used to carry out the micro-structural investigations. In the concrete specimens, the OPEFBF was added from 0% to 1.2% by the weight of cement at interval of 0.2%. The results show that the durability properties of concrete specimens with OPEFBF measured through water absorption, coefficient of water absorption and sorptivity tests recorded values that were less than 10%, indicating good concrete. Also, the SEM morphological images of concrete with OPEFBF at 28 days of curing showed denser and less porous microstructure up to 0.60% of OPEFBF. The inclusion of OPEFBF in concrete up to 0.6% by weight of cement improved the durability of concrete and resulted in denser and less porous microstructure.

Download Full Text