Experimental investigation on the viability of palm oil fuel ash as a sustainable additive in high performance concrete

ABSTRACT The usage of by-products stems from industry offers a promising avenue for promoting clean production, waste minimization, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, thus fostering environmental sustainability. This study delves into the performance evaluation of palm oil fuel ash (POFA) in concrete, aiming to assess its impact on strength, flowability, durability, and microstructure. The findings indicate that incorporating POFA into concrete mixes, up to a 12% dosage enhances compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths. However, higher POFA content leads to decreased workability. Notably, the study divulges a significant control over chloride ingress with the addition of POFA, suggesting its potential to mitigate degradation in aggressive environments. Microstructural analysis of the specimens further highlights the promising role of POFA in enhancing concrete performance under adverse conditions, affirming its viability as a sustainable alternative in construction materials.