Study of Compressive Strength and Flexural Strength of Mortar by Compression Molding Method by Replacing Sand with Stone Dust and Reinforced with Palm Oil Fibers

Abstract

This research applied a compression molding process to produce a mortar, in which a replacement of sand with limestone dust (at 60 and 100% by mass of sand) and a reinforcement of oil palm fiber (at 2, 4, and 6% by volume fraction) are incorporated. The effect of the dust and the fiber on the compressive and flexural strength of the mortar was then investigated. For compressive strength testing, the 10.16-cm diameter and 11.68-cm high mortar cylinder was employed. For flexural strength testing, the specimen was 10 × 10 × 35 cm mortar beam. Both test were conducted after 28 days of curing. The results showed that, in case of no fiber, the 60 percent replacement of sand by stone dust achieves the highest compressive strength. When the fiber was added, the compressive strength was decreased. However, the fiber inclusion greatly enhances the flexural performance such as residual flexural strength and flexural toughness.