Enhanced durability of concrete with palm oil fuel ash in a marine environment

Abstract

This research aimed to enhance the durability of concrete at a marine site by using ground palm oil fuel ash (GPOFA). Portland cement type I had been replaced by GPOFA at various replacement levels of 0–50% by weight of binder, with three different strength grades. Cubical concrete specimens with embedded steel bars at various covering depths were cast to determine chloride ingression and steel corrosion. After curing for 28 days, the concrete specimens were placed in a marine environment. The compressive strength, total and free chloride ingress, and embedded steel corrosion of the specimens were determined after subjecting them to tidal zone conditions for 7 years. The results show that the concrete specimens containing GPOFA at replacement levels of 15–35% by weight of binder provided the best durability performances at the marine site, with lower compressive strength loss and higher chloride and steel corrosion resistances than ordinary Portland cement concrete. This indicates that GPOFA in a replacement levels of 15–35% by weight of binder, with a maximum W/B ratio of 0.45, can be used efficiently in concrete to enhance the service life of marine concrete structures.

Keywords

• Ground palm oil fuel ash
• Marine site
• Chloride penetration
• Chloride binding capacity
• Steel corrosion