A Study on the Influence of Oil Palm Trunk Fiber on Ultrasonic  Pulse Velocity (UPV) and Shrinkage of Foamcrete

Md Azree Othuman Mydin; Mohd Nasrun Mohd Nawi; Muhammad Arkam Che Munaaim; Othman Mohamed

Authors

Md Azree Othuman Mydin School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Penang, Malaysia
Mohd Nasrun Mohd Nawi School of Technology Management and Logistics, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia
Muhammad Arkam Che Munaaim School of Environmental Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Perlis, Malaysia
Othman Mohamed Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Keywords:

Ultrasonic pulse velocity, shrinkage, pundit, oil palm fiber, biomass waste

Abstract

Presently there is increasing attention in utilization foamcrete as a lightweight non?structural and semi-structural element in buildings to take advantage of its excellent insulation properties. Though, foamcrete has been noticed to have some disadvantages: considerable brittleness; results in low compressive and flexural strength, poor fracture toughness, poor resistance to crack propagation and low impact strength. Hence this study is intended to look into the potential of oil palm trunk (OPT) fiber in enhancing the engineering properties of foamcrete. There are 2 engineering properties will be focused in this study which are ultrasonic pulse velocity and drying shrinkage. Two densities of foamcrete of 600 kg/m3, 1200 kg/m3 were cast and tested. The ratio of cement, sand and water used in this study was 1:1.5:0.45. OPT fibers were used as additives at 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45% and 0.60% by volume of the total mix. Test results indicated that the engineering properties of foamcrete reinforced with OPT fiber had amplified thoroughly.