STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOR OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS WITH CRUSHED PALM KERNEL SHELL AS COARSE AGGREGATES

Any waste material that is found to be appropriate for use for structural concrete will not only serve as efficient means of waste disposal but also an innovative way of converting waste to wealth. This paper presents the results of the investigation conducted to assess the structural behaviour of reinforced concrete beams made with palm kernel shell as replacement for coarse aggregates. The properties investigated are: workability, density and mechanical properties of concrete specimens containing palm kernel shell as partial replacement of coarse aggregates using a mix ratio of 1:2:4 and water cement ratio of 0.65. The percentage replacement of coarse aggregates was varied from 0% to 100% by weight at intervals of 25%. For the density and compressive strength tests, 150 x 150 ×150 mm cube specimens were used, while 2370 x 225 x 225 mm reinforced beam specimens were cast for the flexural strength test according to BS EN 12350:2000. The test specimens were moist and air cured for 28 days....