THE EFFECT OF PALM KERNEL POWDER ON COMPRESSIVE … · Oil palm kernel shell OPKS is a waste material obtained during the extraction of palm oil by crushing of the palm nut in the

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)

Volume 9, Issue 10, October 2018, pp. 213–223, Article ID: IJCIET_09_10_022

Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=9&IType=10

ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316

©IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

THE EFFECT OF PALM KERNEL POWDER ON

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND ABSORPTION

OF PORTLAND CEMENT MORTAR

Elham Abd Al-Majeed, Dalya H. Hameed and Mhmood S. Al Mohnia

College of Materials Engineering, University of Babylon 51002, Babylon, Iraq

ABSTRACT

Cement is one of the most common material that widely used in the construction

field, both at the construction or by using the ready-made concrete molds. The reason

for its publicity revert to several reasons, including low-cost, scalability with high

compression, stiffness and mold it as required easily (mouldabilty) and durability,

making it preferable to other materials used in construction, however, the cement

lacks the important factors that reduced the use of such brittleness, low tensile stress,

the small force of the impact, and high-density.

Dealing with this study by adding palm kernel (cellulose material) to cement

mortar and study their effect on the compressive strength and absorption, the palm

kernel used after conversion into powder and mixed with cement in the following

proportions: (5% - 10% - 15%) by weight of cement and then mixed with standard

sand by 3:1, then cast in molds, placed in humidity basins, then placed in basin

contains different media (water , salt solution 3% NaCl, acid solution 3% HCl), then

test the compressive strength after (7 and 28) days . Also, Absorption is tested over the

same period. The results showed that the compressive strength of all PK percent

replacement decrease. Also the absorption increase compared to control mix, the

higher value was at a 15% of PK replacement.

Key words: palm kernel, composite materials, mortar compressive strength,

absorption.

Cite this Article: Elham Abd Al-Majeed, Dalya H. Hameed and Mhmood S. Al

Mohnia, The Effect of Palm Kernel Powder on Compressive Strength and Absorption

of Portland Cement Mortar, International Journal of Civil Engineering and

Technology (IJCIET) 9(10), 2018, pp. 213–223.

http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=9&IType=10

1. INTRODUCTION

Cement in origin is translated from the Latin word “cementum” that means the stone and

marble powder which is used as binding material for the blocks at the time of the Romans. In

the European languages the word “cement” is named on, any organic and inorganic binder

such as gum, gels, plastics, welding and asphalt alloy and aqueous cement [1].



Cement is a building material which has a cohesive and adhesive properties in the

presence of water. Therefore, we can say the cement has hydraulic properties, i.e. cement has

efficiency to cohesiveness and hardening in the presence of water due to different chemical

reactions that forms a product resist weathering conditions and natural factors thus it is known

as hydraulic cement. Portland cement is the most important type of hydraulic cement which is

discovered by Joseph Asbeden in the early nineteenth century, in 1825, and it is so called due

to the similarity in the color a building block named as Portland stones in the Aosland Island

in England [2].

Cement is the main construction material for making concrete. It provides good bonding

between aggregates and also provides strength. In order to reduce the environmental impact

and to improve the property of concrete, Palm ash concrete are used as a partial substitute for

cement. The properties of palm ash concrete are compared with the conventional concrete that

it is very economical and also ecofriendly concrete with low weight, low density, non-toxic,

sources renewable, and availability as well as low-cost [3]. Many studies have entered

cellulose material to the mortar or concrete , some of them replaced it with cement, others

with aggregate and other researchers replaced both.

Fadele studied the use of sawdust and palm kernel shells (PKS) as alternative for fine and

coarse aggregates in slab concrete for reinforcing it. The replacement of sawdust and PKS,

both fine and coarse aggregates from 0% to 100% in steps of 25%.Both flexural and

compressive strength values decreasing as the percentage of sawdust or palm kernel shells

increasing in concrete slabs. It can produce lightweight reinforced concrete slabs at a low

value of 25% sawdust and PKS with reduced cost for low stress which could be used. A

weight reduction of 14.5% and 17.9% was achieved for sawdust and PKS replacement slabs

respectively, and cost reduction up to 7.43% can be achieved for every cubic meter of slab

production [4].

the effect of palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) as a partial replacement for ordinary Portland

cement in high strength palm kernel shell ash concrete were investigated by Olowe and

Adebayo. They used PKSA contents in mixes ranged between 0% and 50% by weight of

cement. They found that using palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) has advantages like; reduction in

the cost of concrete, solving environmental pollution problems as well as reduced the number

of landfill areas required for disposing the PKSA. It is recommended that the optimum

replacement level of ordinary Portland cement by Palm kernel shell ash is 25% for good

compressive and tensile properties[5].

Oil palm kernel shell OPKS is a waste material obtained during the extraction of palm oil

by crushing of the palm nut in the palm oil mills. Alengaram, with other reserchers used

OPKS as lightweight aggregates (LWAs) to produce lightweight concrete (LWC) [6].

The additive ratio of (PKS) of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% to replace by Portland cement in

a 1:2:4 control mix resulted in an decrease in the density and workability of concrete; so the

best ratio was 20% with the maximum strength at each palm kernel shell replacement. There

were similar effects of pozzolana and PKS on the density and workability of concrete, while

different effects of the strength of concrete were remarkably [7]. The PK ash that were

produced at varying temperature (350-7500C) used in concrete as a PC replacement, which

reached up to 50% PC. The PK shell was also used to replace up to 100% of coarse aggregate.

The 90 day compressive explained a remarkable strength gain (up to 26.2 N/mm2) Compared

to the equivalent PK ash and PK shell [8].The mechanical properties such as splitting tensile

strength and modulus of elasticity of the oil palm shell concrete OPSC were inferior

compared to normal weight concrete (NWC), usually the OPSC improved permeation

properties such as the water absorption [9,10] .

The Effect of Palm Kernel Powder on Compressive Strength and Absorption of Portland Cement Mortar


the effect of Palm Bunch Ash (PBA) on concrete properties were investigated by Amaziah

and Alison. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) was replaced with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%

and 25% PBA. They showed that when the content of PBA was increased the Compressive,

flexural and split tensile strength decreased, with workability decreased at 5% PBA, and the

setting time increased. At 15% PBA, the PBA started acting as a retarding agent in concrete.

At 5% PBA content, a savings in cost of about 2.2% is achievable per m3 of concrete [11].

The aim of this project is to replace part of the cement by micro-powder, palm kernel with

a certain proportion and then study the effect of this addition on compressive strength and

absorption. This process helps to produce lightweight and economic mortar.

2. EXPERIMENT PART

2.1. The used Materials

Palm kernel (cellulose material).

Sulfate resistance Portland cement.

Standard sand.

Oil to lubricate the molds.

Salt solution where the used salt is 3% NaCl of the weight of water.

Acid solution where the used acid is 3% HCl of the weight of water.

Distilled water must be used to clean and free of dirt.

The standard (cement, sand and water) with different amount of (PK) prepares to be used

in this study, as shown in table (1) and table (2).

Table 1 Materials amount used to prepare cement mortar for compressive strength test at (MPa) with

palm kernel.

Table 2 Materials amount used to prepare the cement mortar for absorption test % with palm kernel.

Samples A B C D

Palm kernel (%) 0% 5% 10% 15%

Cement amount ( g) 75 71.25 67.5 63.75

Sand amount (g) 225 225 225 225

Water amount (ml) 30 29.62 29.25 28.87

2.1.1. Chemical Composition of Cement

Sulfate resistance cement (type V) was used. Table (3) and (4) show the physical properties

and chemical properties of it respectively. The test results indicate that the used cement

satisfies the requirements of the Iraqi Specifications No. 5 / 1984 [12].

Samples A B C D

Palm kernel (%) 0% 5% 10% 15%

Cement amount (g) 200 190 180 170

Sand amount (g) 600 600 600 600

Water amount (ml) 80 79 78 77



Table 3 Physical properties of cement

.Limits according to

IQS Sample Physical Properties

00.45(Min.)

10:00(Max.)

105

3:20

Initial setting time(min)

Finale setting time(hour :min)

250(Min.) 315 Fineness in Blaine m2/kg

23(Min.)

34.5(Min).

28.04

Compressive strength MPA at

7 days

days

2.2. Equipment and Tools

2.2.1. Sensitive Balance

The sensitive balance is used to measure the mass (weight) of the materials and gives the

result directly on screen and it determines the weight with high accuracy. Fig (1) shows the

balance. Table 4 Chemical properties of cement

Oxide Test result sample Limits according to

IQS

CaO% 62.54 -

SiO2% 19.82 -

Al2O3% 3.05 -

Fe2O3% 4.91 -

MgO% 3.10 ≤5%

SO3% 1.54 ≤2.5%if C3A<5% or

≤2.8 if C3A>5%

Loss on ignition% 2.26 <=4%

Total 96.97 -

F.CaO 2.80 -

Insoluble residue 0.73 ≤1.5%

L.S.F 0.95 0.66-1.02

M.S. 2.38 -

M.A. 0.73 -

C3S% 62.05 -

C2S% 9.51 -

C3A% 1.25 ≤3.5%

C4AF% 14.51 -

2.2.2. Rotary Mixer (Electric Mixer)

It used to give homogeneity to cement paste and gives the right consistency as shown in fig

(2).

Figure 1 Sensitive balance

Figure 2 Rotary mixer



2.2.3. Molds

A metal molds from cast iron are usually used that has polished and free off deteriorates inner

surface, and fixated on a metal base with screws. Fig (3) shows the cubic molds with

dimensions (70*70*70) mm and (50*50*50) mm to examine compressive strength and

absorption respectively.

2.2.4. Mechanical vibrator

This machine is used to compact the mortar automatically Fig (4) shows the mechanical

vibrator. Rotation speed of vibrator axis is (12000±400) revolution per minute. The vibrator

keeps working for 2 minutes to compact the mortar.

Figure 3 Metal molds Figure 4 Mechanical vibrator

2.2.5. Compressive Strength Testing Machine

Compression strength machine test shown in Fig (5). It is used to know the compressive

strength of the samples that have been molded. The specific strength will be applied until

failure occurs in the sample.

2.3. Preparing of Palm Kernel

The palm kernel cutting into small pieces, Fig (6-a) shows it, and dried in open air for two

days, then placed in a drying oven at a temperature of 120 °C for 4 hours to full drying.

These pieces, crushed first with pestle, after that grind with an electric grinding mill fig(6-b)

to get finer and micro powder as shown in fig (6-c). Grain size of palm kernel powder was

detected by the device (Better size 2000 particle size analyzer) as shown in Fig (7). Where the

less particle size is 0.4 microns and larger one is 1000 microns fig (8).

Figure 6 a- Pieces of palm kernel , b-Electric mill, c-powder of palm kernel



Figure 5 Compressive strength testing machine Figure 7 Particle size analyzer device.

Figure 8 Particle size analysis report of palm kernel



2.4. Mixing Procedures and Testing

The dry bowl and feathers are fixated in the mixer and prepare to put the materials in the bowl,

then adding the appropriate amount of water and mixed together at low speed about (140±15)

revolution per minute, after that, stop the mixer to scrape the mortar from the bowl walls with

15 seconds and then re-mix using high speed. Mixing for 4 Sec, then turn off the machine and

the mixture is transferred to the mold.

Lubrication the molds to prevent sticking the mortar with the internal surfaces and prevent

water leakage from the mold outside during compaction.

Put one sample component in the mixer, adding a specific amount of water to be mixed

homogeneously for 4 minutes.

After mixing is complete, turn off the blender and then fixate the mold in the vibrator and pour

the samples in batches for 2 minutes to obtain a well- coherent structure.

After completing the compaction process, turn-off the vibrator and set the surfaces with trowel

to put significant signs on the samples to distinguish between them.

Take the molds to the humidity basins and stay there for 24 hours and the moisture is not less

than 90%.

After 24h take out the models from the molds carefully.

For compressive strength test, 12 samples were put in the basin contain water only, 12

samples in the basin contains 97% water and 3% HCl and 12 samples in the basin contain

97% water with 3% NaCl. Each sample stays there for 7 days. Another samples prepared for

absorption test, 4 samples with different ratio in the basin contains water alone, 4 samples in

the basin contains 97% water and 3% HCl and 4 samples in the basin contain 97% water with

3% NaCl. Where each Sample stays there for 7 days.

The same procedure was repeated for the same number of samples for compressive strength

and absorption tests, but immersed for 28 days.

The absorption test mechanism is concluded to immersed mortar cubs (50 × 50 ×50) mm for 7

or 28 day, then will be taken out and dried in a furnace at 220 ° C for 24 hours. After that

taken out of the furnace and weighted W1 , then they immersed in water for 24 hour, then

weighted again, this weight represent W2. Calculate the water absorption as follows (ASTM C

127), [13]:

Absorbability %

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Compressive Strength Test

The range of 72 samples were tested by the compressive strength testing machine, the results

are shown in table (5):

It is clear that the application of palm kernel as fine aggregate in mortar led to about (46 ,

53 , 61 )% reduction in the strength of concrete at 7 day age for ( 5 , 10 , 15 )% PK

replacement respectively. And a reduction reach to ( 54 , 64 , 64 )% in 28 day age

compressive strength for ( 5 , 10 , 15) % PK replacement respectively. Fig (9) relation

between compressive strength and PK% cured in water. The reduction in strength could be

due to many factors such as the lightweight, flaky shape, or semi-porous nature of palm

kernel. It is therefore obvious that palm kernel shells cannot substitute as aggregate in

concrete when it exposes to water, except for economic and environmental purposes.

However, concrete with palm kernel as aggregate could be used for lightweight construction

work.



0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0 5 10 15 20 25

CO

MP

RES

SIV

E S

TREN

GTH

MP

A

PALM KERNAL %

after 7 day after 28 day

Table 5 Compressive strength of mortar cubes

Palm kernel

proportion%

Immersion type

Immersed for 7 days Immersed for 28 days

Compressive

strength(MPA)

Load

(KN)

Compressive

strength(MPA)

Load

(KN)

0

Water

NaCl

HCl

28.04

23.90

22.33

137.39

117.11

109.41

39.04

36.39

35.08

191.29

178.31

171.89

5

Water

NaCl

HCl

15.09

12.22

13.61

73.94

59.87

66.68

18.67

14.50

15.80

91.48

71.05

77.42

10

Water

NaCl

HCl

13.53

10.66

12.25

66.29

52.23

60.02

14.68

9.71

14.26

71.93

47.57

69.87

15

Water

NaCl

HCl

11.86

10.16

12.01

58.11

49.78

58.84

14.32

11.70

13.50

70.16

57.33

66.15

Figure 9 The relation between compressive Figure 10 The relation between compressive

strength and PK% in water strength and PK% in NaCl

Figure 11 The relation between compressive strength and PK% in HCl

The results showed that the effect of NaCl is approximately the same for each mixes

contain PK for all percent and the control mix, NaCl caused a reduction in 7 day strength

about 20%. While in 28 day compressive strength PK caused a more reduction than a control

mix which are ( 22 , 36 , 21 )% for (5 , 10 , 15 )% PK respectively. Fig (10) shows the

relation between compressive strength and PK% in NaCl.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

0 5 10 15 20 25

com

pre

sive

str

enge

th M

pa

palm kernal %


0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0 5 10 15 20 25

CO

MP

RES

IVE

STR

ENG

TH M

PA

PALM KERNAL %




0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0 5 10 15 20 25

AB

SOP

TIO

N

PALM KERNAL %


Fig (11) show the relation between compressive strength and PK% in HCl, the effect of HCl

acid on 7 day strength shown that the mixes with PK in more resistance to acid than control

mix. The reduction is (21 , 13 , 8 , 0 )% for (0 , 5 , 10 , 15) % PK replacement respectively.

While the reduction percent in 28 day s compressive strength is (10 , 11 , 2 , 5 )% for (0 , 5 ,

10 , 15) % PK respectively.

The chemical durability results demonstrated that after a prolonged period of exposure,

significant strength losses in all the concretes were observed. This phenomenon is explained,

due to lower change in concrete morphology and inhibition of reaction species.

3.2. Absorption Test

The range of 32 samples were tested by absorption. Table (6) shows the results of absorption

for mortar cubes immersed for 7 and 28 days. Fig (12), (13) and (14) shows the relation

between absorption and PK% in water, NaCl and HCl respectively.

All Mixes that contain PK replacement shows an increment in absorption, which return to

the semi-porous nature of palm kernel that absorbed more water , NaCl and HCl acid.

Table 6 Results of absorption

Figure 12 The relation between absorption Figure 13 The relation between absorption

and PK% in water and PK% in NaCl

Palm kernel

%

Immersion

Type

Absorption %

Immersed for 7

days

Immersed for

28 days

0

Water

NaCl

HCl

6.89

6.24

7.86

4.23

5.15

7.24

5

Water

NaCl

HCl

8.97

8.03

10.21

6.01

7.11

8.41

10

Water

NaCl

HCl

11.59

10.91

13.12

9.1

8.31

12.45

15

Water

NaCl

HCl

12.63

12.54

14.5

10

11.71

15.63

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0 5 10 15 20 25

AB

SOR

TIO

N

PALM KERNAL %




Figure 14 The relation between absorption and PK% in HCl

4. CONCLUSIONS

PK replacement shows an increment in water absorption at 7 day age reached to (30, 68.2, 83)

% of control mix for (5 , 10 , 15) % PK respectively. While the increment in 28 day

immersion were ( 42 , 115 , 136)% of control mix for ( 5 , 10 , 15) % PK

PK helps to produce lightweight and economic environmental mortar.

The compressive strength of the mortar produced using palm kernel was lower relative to

those, which made with Portland cement only.

The strength value of mortar incorporating palm Kernel aggregates decreased as the PK

percent increase.

The effect of NaCl is more harmful on compressive strength of PK mixes than HCl, while the

reserve effect was show in control mix.

REFERENCES

[1] James K. W., James G. M., “Reinforced Concrete Mechanics and Design", 6th Ed, Ltd,

UK, 2012.

[2] A. M. Neville," Properties of concrete”, Fifth Edition, London, 2011.

[3] P.Premalatha, " Properties of Palm Ash Concrete ", International Journal of Engineering

Science Invention, Vol. 5 Iss. 8, August 2016.

[4] Fadele A. O., " Investigations on Sawdust And Palm Kernel Shells as Aggregate

Replacement" ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Vol. 5, No. 4, 2010.

[5] Olowe K. O., and Adebayo V. B.," Assessment of Palm Kernel Shells as Aggregate In

Concrete and Laterite Blocks", Journal of Engineering Studies and Research , Vol. 18,

No. 2, 2012.

[6] Alengaram, U.J.; Muhit, B.A.A; and Jumaat, M.Z.,"Utilization of oil palm kernel shell as

lightweight aggregate in concrete", Construction and Building Materials, Vol.38, pp. 161-

172, 2013.

[7] Daniel Y., O., " Pozzolana and Palm Kernel Shells as Replacements of Portland cement

and Crushed Granite in Concrete", International Journal of Engineering Inventions, Vol.

2, Iss. 10, June 2013.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

0 5 10 15 20 25

AB

SOR

TIO

N

PALM KERNAL %




[8] Oti, et al. " The Use of Palm Kernel Shell and Ash for Concrete protection " , International

Journal of Civil, Environmental, Structural, Construction and Architectural Engineering

Vol.9, No.3, 2015.

[9] Kadhim Naief Kadhim "Evaluation of the Maximum Rainfall Magnitude in Mid-

esopotamian Plain by Using Frequency Factors Method ”International Journal of Civil

Engineering & Technology ,Volume 9, Issue 6, (Jun 2018).

[10] Kim H. M., Johnson A., and Mohd Z. J. "Experimental investigation on the properties of

lightweight concrete containing waste oil palm shell aggregate", The 5th International

Conference of Euro Asia Civil Engineering Forum (EACEF-5), 2015.

[11] Amaziah W. Otunyo and Alison G. Azuma, " Investigation of the Effect of Palm Bunch

Ash on Concrete Properties" Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science Studies

(JMESS),Vol. 2 Iss. 11, 2016.

[12] Iraqi standard, " Portland Cement", No5, 1984.

[13] ASTM C127 " Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific Gravity),

and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate)", 2004.

Documents

THE EFFECT OF PALM KERNEL POWDER ON COMPRESSIVE … · Oil palm kernel shell OPKS is a waste material obtained during the extraction of palm oil by crushing of the palm nut in the