THE INFLUENCE OF BANANA STEM ASH AND OIL PALM STEM ASH ON THE STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS OF CONCRETE

Abstract

This research addresses a comparative study on the influence of banana stem ash and oil palm stem ash on the strength characteristics of concrete, using substitution of banana stem ash and oil palm stem ash to know if there will be an increase or decrease in the compressive strength of concrete. Banana stem ash and oil palm stem ash were prepared by open control burning, grinded and substituted with cement at 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% respectively, with a mix ratio of 1:2:4 at a constant water-cement ratio of 0.55. The compressive strength, particle size distribution and workability test of these concrete specimens were extensively studied. Compressive strength of 28 days curing with substitute of BSA to cement gives 26.2N/mm2 at 2.5% of ash substitute. Compressive strength of 28 days curing with substitute of BSA to cement gives 26.9N/mm2 at 10% of ash substitute and it is observed that the strength is increased than the conventional concrete. Compressive strength of 28 days curing with substitute of OPSA to cement gives 26.3N/mm2 at 2.5% of ash substitute and it is observed that the strength is increased than conventional concrete. Compressive strength of 28 days curing with substitute of OPSA to cement gives 27.1N/mm2 at 10% of ash substitute and it is observed that the strength is increased than conventional concrete. The compressive strength increased with an increase in the proportion of BSA and OPSA; therefore, the control mix (10% BSA & 10% OPSA) gave the highest strength gain. Thus, from the results obtained, it can be concluded that the use of BSA and OPSA as supplementary materials make for increase in concrete strength properties.