Properties of ultra-high-performance concrete incorporating palm oil fuel Ash as an eco-filler
Hadeer A. Eid, Mohamed Amin, Ahmed M. Tahwia
Abstract
Abstract The pressing demand for environmentally friendly construction materials has prompted extensive research into alternatives to conventional cement. This investigation focuses on using of Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) in its micro and nano forms as a partial cement substitute in ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). A total of thirteen distinct concrete mixtures were created incorporating POFA, silica fume, quartz powder, superplasticizer, and steel fibers. The study evaluated the effects of these materials on key properties such as compressive strength, water permeability, and residual strength under elevated temperatures. Notably, the POFA-modified mixtures, specifically mix with 20% Micro POFA + 2% Nano POFA and 20% Micro POFA + 4% Nano POFA, demonstrated significantly improved compressive strengths at 91 days of 172.9 MPa and 175.2 MPa, respectively, compared to the control mixture, which had a strength of 156.4 MPa. Moreover, concrete containing POFA exhibited reduced water permeability and retained more than 60% of its compressive strength even when exposed to temperatures as high as 800 °C. The findings of this research highlight the considerable potential of POFA as a sustainable supplementary cementitious material. Its use not only helps reduce the environmental impact associated with cement production but also enhances the mechanical performance of concrete. This study supports the feasibility of incorporating POFA in UHPC, offering a promising solution for achieving both sustainability and high performance in modern construction applications.