Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Abstract:
Compressive strength development of mortar cube reinforced with Oil Palm Fibre (OPF) cured in water was investigated at different ages, using water /cement ratio of 0.5 and mix ratio of 1:6. OPF was introduced into the mortar at 0.2 %, 0.4 %, 0.6 %, 0.8 % and 1% by weight of cement. The result of the tests conducted showed that 0.6% is the optimal Oil Palm Fibre level both at 7 days and 28 days with compressive strengths of 1.4 N/mm2 and 1.7 N/mm2 respectively. These values are higher than the values for the control mortar mix for which the 7 days and 28 days compressive strengths were 1.2 N/mm2 and 1.4 N/mm2 respectively. These results show that 0.6 % is the most effective additive level of Oil Palm Fibre to mortar for greatest increase in compressive strength. This additive level of Oil Palm fibre as Self Compacting Mortar could satisfactorily replace concrete in area of repair and retrofit in concrete structures.

Keywords: oil palm fibre, compressive strength, mortar, water / cement ratio, curing.

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