FLEXURAL STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS OF BEAM CAST BY PARTIAL REPLACEMENT

ABSTRACT

This experiment investigated the effects of incorporating Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) into concrete mixtures on the flexural strength and curing duration. POFA, a waste byproduct of the palm oil industry, is gaining attention as a potential supplementary cementitious material due to its pozzolanic properties. Concrete specimens were prepared with varying percentages of POFA substitution, ranging from 10% to 20% by weight of cement. Flexural strength tests were conducted using three-point bending at different curing durations of 7, 14, and 28 days. The results revealed that the addition of POFA initially led to a decrease in flexural strength during early stages, but significant improvement was observed at later curing stages. The highest flexural strength was achieved with 20% POFA substitution at 28 days of curing. Moreover, the curing duration was found to significantly impact the strength development, with longer curing periods enhancing the flexural strength of the concrete. These findings highlight the potential of POFA as a supplementary cementitious material to enhance the flexural strength of concrete, particularly in later stages of curing. Utilizing POFA in concrete mixtures not only offers a solution for the disposal of this waste material but also holds promise for improving the performance and durability of concrete structures. Further research is recommended to investigate the long-term effects and optimize the dosage of POFA in concrete mixtures, considering its sustainable and cost-effective benefits.