Modification of compressive strength of cement mortar by oil palm shell ash

Oil palm shell (UPS) ash is one of the waste products from industry sector
during the palm oil extraction process: Since the ash is being light and in small size of
particle, it is easily to carry away by wind. As a result, the smog causes the air pollution
which reduces the visibility and eventually creates traffic hazard. In order to reduce the
waste products extracted from the UPS which is being dumped without a proper
management, it will cause in the result of atmospheric pollution, if possible, among
other applications, to use it as the admixture in the cement mortar. Therefore, in this
research, the main characteristics of the cement mortar are presented and compared
with those of the additional of admixtures. The experimental study shows the
possibility and effect of adding in the UPS into the cement mortar, for the improving on
its compressive strength. This research, was conducted to determine the compressive
strength of cement mortar by using different percentage of OPS ash. Besides, the
research also examines the modulus of elasticity behavior on cement mortar with the
present of admixture. The size of cube specimens used was 1 00m x 100mm x 100mm.
About five types of sample which containing 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% of UPS ash
were tested. Meanwhile 0% of UPS ash was used as the control sample. Compressive
strength of the cement mortar made with and without UPS ash was determined at 7 and
28 days. The findings revealed that the 4% proportion of UPS ash added in the cement
mortar is suitable. The Compressive' strength for mix type of 46% cement +
50%
sand
+ 4% UPS ash reached a maximum value which is 46.378 MPa and much greater than
mix type of
50% cement + 50%
sand (control sample) which possesses 42.839 MPa.
The UPS ash up to 4% does not have negative effect on cement mortar quality. The
time to failure increases with the increases of force applied. It showed a positive result
on the modulus of elasticity towards cement mortar.