Work

Strength Evaluation of Palm Oil Fuel Ash and Rice Husk Ash as Partial Cement Replacement in Concrete for Sustainable Construction

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The construction industry's dependence on Portland cement considerably increased global carbon emissions, which highlighted the need for environmentally friendly alternatives. This research explored the application of rice husk ash (RHA) and palm oil fuel ash (POFA), two common agricultural byproducts in Malaysia, as partial cement replacements in concrete. The study examined the mechanical performance and durability of several POFA–RHA concrete mix designs with the goal of reducing environmental impact while maintaining structural integrity. A systematic approach was applied for material characterization, which included advanced methods such as Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The workability, compressive strength, and water absorption of concrete samples with varying POFA and RHA proportions were assessed. The findings showed that a mixture containing 25% POFA and 5% RHA achieved notable improvements in strength and durability while reducing water absorption. In contrast, higher replacement levels reduced workability and performance due to increased water demand and particle aggregation. Overall, the combination of 25% POFA and 5% RHA delivered substantial enhancements in strength, durability, and water absorption.

Source: Sustainable Environmental Insight

DOI: 10.53623/sein.v2i2.636

Authors: Muhammad Hakim Abd Razak, Najeeha Mohd Apandi, Mohd Syafiq Syazwan Mustafa, Noor Kamalia Abd Hamed, Muhammad Rafi Azmi

Institution: Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia

Language: English

Topic: Concrete and Cement Materials Research

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia