PRODUCTION OF LIGHWEIGHT CONCRETE THROUGH UTILIZATION OF PALM KERNEL SHELL AND RICE HUSK

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of palm kernel shell and rice husk on themechanical properties of light weight concrete. Granite was partially replaced with sand in an inan increasing order of 10% to 40% by weight of granite while sand was partially replaced withrice husk in an increasing order of 5% to 20% by weight of sand. Laboratory test was conductedto evaluate the effect of utilization of palm kernel shell and rice husk in concrete production.This test includes: sieve analysis test, workability test, water absorption test, specific gravity testand compressive strength test. Results obtained from sieve analysis test revealed that sandgranite and palm kernel shell were classified as A-2-4 and A-1-b a according to AASHTO SoilClassification System, SC and GM according to Unified Soil Classification System, the specificgravity of granite sand and palm kernel shell were 2.66, 2.69 and 2.17 respectively. Slump testresults showed that the slump of the concrete decreased on consistent addition of palm kernelshell and rice husk to the concrete, the hardened density and compressive strength was found todecrease on consistent addition of palm kernel shell and rice husk to the concrete. This studytherefore discourage the use of palm kernel shell and rice husk as constituents in concreteproduction as the density and compressive strength was undermined.