Effect of Oil Palm Fiber as a Reinforcement in Concrete

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the effect of Oil Palm Fiber (OPF) as reinforcement in
concrete. The OPF was obtained from the Alao farm in Ondo state. The effect of OPF was
investigated on grade 20 concrete with water-cement ratio of 0.5 at additions of OPF at
intervals of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8%. The fresh concrete was tested for slump and compaction
factor while the hardened concrete was tested for compressive and tensile splitting strengths
respectively at curing ages of 7 and 28 days in accordance with standard procedures under
Laboratory conditions. The sizes of specimen tested were 150mm x 150mm x 150mm cubes
for compressive strength test and 150mm x 300mm cylinder for tensile splitting strength test.
Workability decreases with increase in OPF content likewise density increases with increase
in OPF content in the concrete mix. Compressive strength increases up to 0.6% of OPF
content and increases with increase in curing age. Tensile strength increases with increase in
OPF content and increases with increase in curing age. Even though adding fiber contributes
to compressive strength but the strength does not increase with increasing OPF content. That
is increase in strength is only up to certain amount of OPF content.