Comparative Study of the Physical Properties of Palm Kernel Shells Concrete and Normal Weight Concrete in Ghana

1A. Acheampong, 2M. Adom-Asamoah 3J. Ayarkwa, and 4R.O. Afrifa
1,2,3,&4Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
E-mail: achielex@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in the world. To
ensure sustainability and a reduction in the cost of concrete, the use of renewable
agricultural waste materials as aggregates becomes desirable. This paper presents
results of a comparative study of the physical and compressive strength of palm
kernel shell concrete (PKSC) and normal weight concrete (NWC) using Portlandlimestone
cement (class 32.5R) and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) herein called
Ghacem Extra Cement(class 42.5N). Palm kernel shells were used as lightweight
coarse aggregate in PKSC and granite was used as aggregates for the normal
concrete. The study was conducted in accordance with the British Standards (BS
812, 1990; BS 1881, 1996). Two mixes of ratios 1:1.3:0.7 and 1:1.7:2.5 by weight
were used in the study. The values obtained for water absorption, aggregate impact,
aggregate crushing, specific gravity and Los Angeles abrasion, satisfy the minimum
requirements of aggregates for structural concrete as specified in BS 882, 1992. The
density of the PKSC was about 22% lower than that of the normal weight concrete
for both cement types. Compressive strengths of both PKSC and normal weight
concretes with Portland-limestone cement and Ghacem Extra cement evaluated at 7,
14 and 28-days showed that Ghacem Extra cement produced concretes of higher
compressive strengths than Portland-limestone cement for PKSC and normal weight
concrete. In general, the compressive strength of PKSC using Ghacem Extra cement
compare well with those obtained from other materials used for structural lightweight
concretes.