Engineering properties of fibre reinforced lightweight geopolymer concrete using palm oil biowastes

This paper reports the findings of an experimental programme to investigate the development of a structural lightweight concrete mixture using geopolymer binder and palm oil biowastes. Several concrete mixes were prepared using fly ash-based geopolymer binder, crushed palm oil clinker as asource for lightweight aggregate (POCA), and oil palm trunk fibre (OPTF)as a natural fibre reinforcement. POCA was added at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% as volume percentages from total aggregate. OPTF was added at 1%, 2%, and 3% as volume percentages of the mixture. The produced concrete mixtures were evaluated in terms of fresh and harden properties and structural efficiency. The results revealed that OPTF can be used at full replacement level to produce structural lightweight concrete having a compressive strength of more than 30 MPa. In terms of structural efficiency, the optimum POCA content was found at 75% replacement. The optimum OPTF content was found at 1%. Incorporation of POCA and OPTF at any percentage reduced the durability of the concrete produced against acid attack. Yet, the produced mixtures provided good resistance superior to that of conventional concrete. The use of a geopolymer binder boosted the workability, mechanical properties, and durability of the mixtures produced.