Compressive Strength of Cement Mortar Containing High Volume Palm Oil Fuel Ash

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the effect of ground palm oil fuel ash (GPOFA) as high-volume cementitious material replacement on compressive strength of cement mortar. Palm oil fuel ash from factory (OPOFA) was ground until its median particle size (d50) was 7.7 microns. GPOFA was then used to replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC) at 0, 20, 50, 60 and 70 wt% of binder (CT, 20GPOFA, 50GPOFA, 60GPOFA and 70GPOFA). The water-to-binder ratios were determine to achieve a flow valued of 110±5%. The results indicated that the 20GPOFA, 50GPOFA, 60GPOFA and 70GPOFA mortar had the compressive strengths at 28 days of 33.4, 30.1, 23.9 and 16.1 MPa or 86, 77, 61 and 41% of CT, respectively. In terms of the production cost, GPOFA cement mortar resulted in a reduction the material cost by 12–42%. However, environmental issues of 20GPOFA, 50GPOFA, 60GPOFA and 70GPOFA mortar showed a decrease in carbon dioxide emission of 16–56% as compared to CT mixture. Furthermore, GPOFA could be used as a good pozzolanic material to replace OPC by up to 50 wt% of binder for the production of eco–friendly materials as well as cost saving.