Compressive Strength and Heat Evolution of Concretes Containing Palm Oil Fuel Ash

The study of using palm oil fuel ash (POFA) in concrete work is just the beginning, and obtained data are very little as compared to fly ash and silica fume. In order to collect experimental data, the effects of ground POFA (GPOFA) replacement rate up to 30 wt % and water/binder (W/B) ratios of 0.50, 0.55, and 0.60 on normal concrete properties were studied. GPOFA with high fineness was found to be a possible pozzolanic material in concrete. Cement replacement of GPOFA at rates of 10 and 20% yielded higher compressive strength than that of control concrete after 28 days of curing. In addition, heat evolution in terms of temperature rise of fresh concrete decreased with an increased of GPOFA replacement. For concrete with a W/B ratio of 0.50, the use of 30% GPOFA as a cement replacement exhibited the lowest peak temperature rise. However, a decrease compressive strength at early age might be considered if a high replacement rate of GPOFA was used.