Predicting the Efficiency of Using Empty Fruit Bunch of Oil-Palm Fibre in Reinforcing Structural Concrete: A Statistical Analysis

Document Type : Research Papers

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Building Science, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, South Africa.

2 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Civil Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, South Africa; and Department of Construction Engineering, Triumphant College, Khomasdal Campus, Windhoek, Namibia.

3 Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Building Science, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, South Africa.

4 Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Namibia University of Science and Technology; and Department of Construction Engineering, Triumphant College, Khomasdal Campus, Windhoek, Namibia.

5 Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Building Science, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, South Africa.

Abstract

This study evaluates the performance, curing age importance and strength increment efficiency of using Empty Fruit Bunch of Oil Palm Fibre (EFBOPF) in structural concrete through a statistical model. The prediction was carried out using some concrete structural parameters (properties) through a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) model. These parameters include density, tensile and compressive strengths, and durability. The influences of EFBOPF on concrete density, compressive strength and durability were examined using 150 × 150 × 150 mm (for density and compressive strength) and 100 × 100 × 100 mm concrete cubes (for durability). Also, the strength performance of EFBOPF in concrete against tensile splitting and cracks was determined using 150 × 300 mm cylindrical concretes. The compressive strengths were evaluated at 28 days; tensile strengths at 28, 90 and 120 days; and durability performance was assessed at 28 and 90 days. All these parameters were tested using a Universal Testing Machine, weighing balance and durability testing apparatus. The results of the experiments were modelled with ANOVA. In the process of modelling, the correlations among the percentage of EFBOPF included, curing age, and the rate of concrete’s strength increment were predicted. In accordance with ANOVA’s prediction, the compressive strengths of concrete were greatly enhanced at 0.2 and 0.4% of EFBOPF. In addition, the split tensile strengths and durability capacity of EFBOPF- concrete were efficiently increased at 1.0% and 0.8-1.2% of EFBOPF inclusion, accordingly. The results of the modelling proved that EFBOPF increased the concrete strengths against compressive and tensile failures efficiently. Also, it was evident that EFBOPF enhanced the durability performance of concrete greatly. Although the application of EFBOPF in concrete as well as curing have great impacts on the hydration process of the concrete and its high strength yielding capacity. However, its capacity to increase the concrete’s strengths does not depend on the rate of EFBOPF included or the long curing ages of concrete but depends on the reinforcement strength of EFBOPF used.

Keywords

References

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Civil Engineering Infrastructures Journal
Volume 58, Issue 2
December 2025
Pages 391-417

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 September 2023
  • Revise Date: 16 July 2024
  • Accept Date: 05 August 2024

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