SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY USING PALM KERNEL SHELL ASH AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR CEMENT

Abstract

The construction sector, in modern times, is faced by multi-faceted challenges primarily due to the increase in the urban population and declining natural resources that facilitates the production of construction materials. The world in general, has turned its focus on environmental effects associated with improper disposal of waste materials which results in excessive accumulation of dirt and pollution. Millions of tons of palm kernel shell are constantly being dumped in the environment through careless disposal and they are mostly resistant to degradability which makes it a problem to the environment. This study presents the sustainable development in construction industry using palm kernel shell ash as partial replacement for cement. All the test procedures were carried out in accordance with British Standard Institution guide. The method adopted in the preparation of concrete was absolute volume method and concrete moulds of 150mm × 150mm × 150mm dimensions were used. The palm kernel shell ash was obtained by burning palm kernel shell at 9000C, the cement was replaced by palm kernel shell ash at 5, 10 and 15%. The optimum compressive strength of concrete at 28 days curing is 26.53 N/mm2, which is higher than that of 7, 14 and 21 days. The maximum compressive strength were obtained to be 19.10 N/mm2, 20.09 N/mm2, and 22.87 N/mm2 at 7, 14 and 21 curing respectively. Therefore, the study revealed that the use of agro-waste to develop sustainable construction materials was effective, as the developed materials adhered to established building standards and reduced cost of cement. Therefore, this indicates that palm kernel shell ash has the potential to replace conventional construction materials and hence achieve economic, environmental, and social sustainability in the long run.