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An Investigation into The Structural Characteristics of Concrete Produced with Palm Kernel Shells as Partial Replacement for Granite Coarse Aggregate
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Construction Materials
Abstract
Rising granite costs and the environmental burden of palm kernel shell (PKS) waste disposal have driven interest in sustainable concrete aggregates. This study investigated the structural performance of concrete produced with PKS as a partial replacement for granite coarse aggregate at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% by volume, using a 1:1½:3 mix ratio and a constant water-cement ratio of 0.50. Slump tests assessed fresh concrete properties, while compressive strength was determined on water-cured cubes at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. PKS exhibited higher moisture content and water absorption than granite. Workability declined sharply with increasing PKS content, with slump falling from 90 mm (control) to 10 mm at 50% replacement. Compressive strength followed a similar downward trend, dropping from 23.56 N/mm² (control) to 7.56 N/mm² at 50% replacement after 28 days, while density fell from 2370.3 kg/m³ to 1925.9 kg/m³ over the same range. Replacement levels up to 20% met the 17 N/mm² minimum compressive strength required for non-critical structural applications; beyond this, the concrete is better suited to lightweight and non-structural uses. PKS therefore offers a viable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable partial substitute for granite, particularly in oil-palm-producing regions where it is readily available.
Keywords
Compressive Strength, Cost Efficiency, Granite Aggregate, Lightweight Concrete, Palm Kernel Shell (PKS), Sustainable Concrete, Workability.
How to cite this paper
@article{1723039,
author = {Wenapere, A. D., Aziba-oledia, A., Ife, K. A.},
title = {An Investigation into The Structural Characteristics of Concrete Produced with Palm Kernel Shells as Partial Replacement for Granite Coarse Aggregate},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {3},
pages = {4126-4134},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1723039.pdf},
abstract = {Rising granite costs and the environmental burden of palm kernel shell (PKS) waste disposal have driven interest in sustainable concrete aggregates. This study investigated the structural performance of concrete produced with PKS as a partial replacement for granite coarse aggregate at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% by volume, using a 1:1½:3 mix ratio and a constant water-cement ratio of 0.50. Slump tests assessed fresh concrete properties, while compressive strength was determined on water-cured cubes at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days.
PKS exhibited higher moisture content and water absorption than granite. Workability declined sharply with increasing PKS content, with slump falling from 90 mm (control) to 10 mm at 50% replacement. Compressive strength followed a similar downward trend, dropping from 23.56 N/mm² (control) to 7.56 N/mm² at 50% replacement after 28 days, while density fell from 2370.3 kg/m³ to 1925.9 kg/m³ over the same range.
Replacement levels up to 20% met the 17 N/mm² minimum compressive strength required for non-critical structural applications; beyond this, the concrete is better suited to lightweight and non-structural uses. PKS therefore offers a viable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable partial substitute for granite, particularly in oil-palm-producing regions where it is readily available.},
keywords = {Compressive Strength, Cost Efficiency, Granite Aggregate, Lightweight Concrete, Palm Kernel Shell (PKS), Sustainable Concrete, Workability.},
month = {September},
}