An Investigation on Compressive Strength of Concrete Blended With Groundnut Shell Ash

Concrete is frequently utilized infra-structural construction material all over the world. Cement is the main part of the concrete, during its manufacturing emission of gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) from cement factories create greenhouse effect. In these days various natural pozzolanic materials are used as partial replacement of cement to enhance strength and durability and to reduction in consumption of cement consequently reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emission. The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of groundnut shell ash as a cement replacement material on workability and compressive strength of concrete. One mix of ordinary concrete and five mixes of modified concrete were prepared, where cement is replaced by groundnut shell ash from 3% to 15% by weight of cement, with 3% increment with 1:2:4 binding ratio mixed with 0.5 water/cement ratio. The workability and compressive strength of concrete was investigated. The obtained outcomes demonstrated that, groundnut shell ash as a cement replacement material have significant effect on compressive strength of concrete.


INTRODUCTION
Concrete is frequently utilized infra-structural construction material all over the world. The main mix proportions of concrete are {cement, fine aggregate (FA), course aggregate (CA) and water [1], [2]. Many researchers have conducted investigations on mechanical properties (flexural strength, Tensile strength, compressive strength, flexural strength, density, etc) by using different cement contents, various types of aggregates with water/binder ratios [3], [4], [5], [6]. Cement is binding agent contain lime, silica, alumina and iron oxide. By its production, consumption and need we did not reach over its requirements [7], [8], [9], [10], [11]. Cement is the main part of the concrete, during its manufacturing emission of gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) from cement factories create greenhouse effect [12]. In these days various natural pozzolanic materials are partially replaced in cement to enhance strength, stability and durability [13]. The usage of partially replacement cementitious materials (RCMs) with cement which decreasing the pollution impact and saving environment from the factories, mills and the industries. RCMs materials are Palm-Kennel Shell (PKS), Saw Dust Ash (SDA), Corn Cob Ash (CCA), Millet Husk Ash (MHA), Rise Husk Ash (RHA), Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SCBA), Groundnut Shell Ash (GSA), etc [14], [15], [16], [17]. These replacements can be improved the workability, durability, early and long term strength and economy based in the blended cement concrete [18]. In this experimental study work the benefits of ground-nut shell ash (GSA) as partially substitution of cement (OPC) in concrete. Groundnut is usually agriculture VOLUME 20 │ NUMBER 2 │ JANUARY 2021 https://ejournal.worldconference.id/index.php/neutron E-ISSN: 2685-3272 | P-ISSN 1412-0860 product of Nigeria. Its waste is widely collected which contains 20% to 24% shell of harvested groundnut, even the ratio changes by variety. Around 58 tons of groundnut shell yield is generated per year throughout the world [19]. Globally China is known as the major groundnut producer country around 14.30 million metric tons of groundnut is produced by China [20]. In Pakistan groundnut is cultivated in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Sindh provinces while in Baluchistan no groundnut is cultivated. The Punjab produce 85%, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 10%, and Sindh 5% respectively. About 102400 hectares an area in Pakistan was cultivated through this overall production about 114700 tons with an average of yield 1121 kg/hectare. Around 68 to 72% of groundnut manufacture of Pakistan is found in rain fed (barani) region in Chakwal, Attock and Rawalpindi the northern districts province of Punjab [21]. The analysis of chemical composition of groundnut shell ash is taken to assure the properties whether cementing or pozzolanic and use as partial replacement of GSA in OPC [22]. This agriculture waste of GSA is partially replaced for cement in concrete could lessen the construction cost and hazards of waste disposal [23]. However, the purpose of this experimental work to determine the slump test and compressive strength test with accumulation of GSA as cementitious components in concrete.

Materials
Local available OPC cement was used in this research. However, the ground nut shell was collected from Larkana, Pakistan and then it was burnt at uncontrolled temperature under the atmosphere to convert into ash for four hours. After that the ash was left for 24 hours for cooling and then it was sieved from #200 sieve. After sieving ash, it was used as partial replacement of cement in concrete as 0% 3%, 6%, 9% 12% and 15% by the weight of cement. Moreover, the hill sand was passed from sieve size 4.75mm and coarse aggregate was passed from sieve size 20 mm in this study. Furthermore, the tap water was served in the mixing and curing of research work.

Methods
In this research mechanical properties of concrete such as compressive strength and workability were conducted blended with 0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 15% of GSA as cement substitute ingredient in concrete with 1:2:4 binding ratio mixed with 0.5 water/cement ratio. However, Slump test was conducted for workability as per code specification of (BS-1881-102-1983). Moreover, for each batch of compressive strength, 5 cubes were made at the curing age of 3 and 28 days as per code specification of (BS 12390-3-2009) while the size of cube was 100 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm used for testing.

Workability of Groundnut Shell Ash concrete
Slump value of Groundnut shell ash concrete is shown in Figure 1. It can be observed in above Figure 1 that with the inclusion of Groundnut shell ash, Slump value is decreasing with the comparison of ordinary Portland cement concrete.

Compressive Strength of Groundnut shell ash concrete
Compressive strength of Groundnut shell ash concrete is shown in Figure 2. In the above results shown in Figure 2, it is discussed that the compressive strength of the groundnut shell ah is increased up to 6% in comparison of control mix. The Additional substitution of binding material with ash of groundnut shell beyond 6%, the compressive strength is decreased than that of normal mix. The highest compressive strength 17.10MPa is accomplished at 6% substitution of cement with ash of groundnut shell which is 14% more than that of ordinary Portland cement concrete after 3 days.

Compressive Strength of Groundnut shell ash concrete
Compressive strength of Groundnut shell ash concrete is shown in Figure 3. In the above results shown in Figure 3, it is discussed that the compressive strength of the groundnut shell ash is increased up to 6% in comparison of control mix. The Additional substitution of binding material with ash of groundnut shell after 6%, the compressive strength is decreased than that of normal mix.

CONCLUSION
On the research based it can be summarized that: a) The workability of slump test indicates, with the substitution of groundnut shell ash it is decreased as compared with the normal mix. b) Compressive strength of the groundnut shell ash concrete is increased up to 6% in comparison of control mix. The Additional substitution of binding material with ash of groundnut shell beyond 6%, the compressive strength is decreased than that of normal mix. c) The highest compressive strength 36.89 MPa is accomplished at 6% substitution of cement with ash of groundnut shell which is 13.41% more than that of ordinary Portland cement at 28 days. On the above observation, it can be summarized that 6% replacement of cement with groundnut ash is optimum for construction industry.