Evaluating Effect of Palm Kernel Shell Ash Additives on Compresive Strength Properties of Geopolymer Concrete of Clay from Ire Ekiti and Ikere Ekiti

Abstract

With abundance and viability of Clay soil at Ire Ekiti and Ikere Ekiti which can be use as geopolymer source material and abundance of Palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) in south western Nigeria, this study is to evaluate effect of PKSA- an agricultural waste, as additive on compressive strength of Ire and Ikere clay geopolymer concrete. Palm kernel shell was ashed at 650°C for 2 hours at the furnance of glass technology department, federal polytechnic, Ado- ekiti. Ire and Ikere Clay was similarly procured, air dried and calcined in a furnace at 750°C for 2 hours. The Pulverized calcined clay as source material for the geopolymer with 12M of NaOH and Na2SiO3, with NaOH to Na2SiO3 at ratio 2:5. River sand and 12 mm aggregate size of granite were adopted as filler in the geopolymer concrete mix at ratio 1:2:3. PKSA in mass percentages of the Ire and Ikere Clay in order of 0, 7.5 and 15% were added to the geopolymer concrete mixes for different specimen and maturities of 7, 14 and 28 days. Compressive strength of Ire Clay geopolymer concrete with PKSA as additives at room temperature has its highest compressive strength at 7.67 N/mm2 at 28 days with 15% additive while that of Ikere Clay Geopolymer has 10 N/mm² at 28 days maturity with 15% additive.