Strength, micro-structure & durability investigations of lateritic concrete with palm kernel shell (PKS) as partial replacement of coarse aggregates

This paper presents the results of investigation conducted to evaluate structural performance of lateritic concrete containing palm kernel shell (PKS) as partial replacement of coarse aggregate by weight. The properties evaluated were: workability, density, compressive strength, microstructure, sorptivity, and water absorption of lateritic concrete with PKS specimens. The coarse aggregate fraction of the lateritic concrete was partially replaced with PKS of up to 50% at interval of 10% by weight. The results showed that: (i) the use of PKS to partially replace the coarse aggregate in lateritic concrete resulted in harsh concrete with low workabilities, (ii) lateritic concrete with PKS as partial replacement of coarse aggregate of up to 50% developed densities that can be used for normal concrete application, (iii) lateritic concrete with PKS as partial replacement of coarse aggregate of up to 10% developed strength that is comparable to the specimens without PKS, (iv) the SEM images of lateritic concrete samples showed a progressively porous internal structure with PKS and (v) lateritic concrete with PKS as partial replacement of coarse aggregate results in porous material but became less porous at longer curing ages. It can be concluded from these results that the replacement of the coarse aggregate constituent with PKS by weight not exceeding 10%, in the production of lateritic concrete, resulted in a material with satisfactory structural performance.