Unit Weight and Compressive Strength of Pervious Concrete Mixed with Oil Palm Shell

Abstract

In this research, oil palm shells, which had particle size of 9.50 mm. (3/8 in), were used to mix in the pervious concrete or concrete without fine aggregate. The oil palm shells partially replaced coarse aggregate in concrete at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%, respectively by weight of aggregate in the normal concrete. All pervious concretes were tested for compressive strength, unit weight, and water absorption at the age of 28 days. It was found that the pervious concretes with oil palm shell replacement of 10 to 50% by weight of aggregates have their compressive strength reduced by 27 to 91% of normal concrete. The unit weights of pervious concretes were decreased by 10 to 38% of normal concrete and the water absorption were increased by 0.2 to 4.2% of normal concrete. Therefore, oil palm shell can be used to replace aggregates in pervious concretes. Especially, when design factors such as unit weight or water drainage are major factors and compressive strength is a minor factor.