Use of palm kernel shell from agriculture waste as partial replacement for coarse aggregate in hot mix asphalt

Palm kernel shell (PKS) is known as a waste material that produced by oil palm factory. In this research, PKS will be used as an alternative to improve the strength and performance of hot mix asphalt (HMA). The bitumen grade of 60/70 PEN and ACW14 had been used in the research. To investigate the strength of PKS in term of designing wearing course, bitumen content of 4% to 6% and different mix design with different percentages content of PKS were provided. The total specimens prepared in this research are 45 specimens. The specific gravity of PKS was lower and showed the high capacity in water absorption compare to the natural aggregate. The increment of percentage for PKS in HMA make the strength in Marshall Specimen became decreases as stated in the result and discussion. Result of optimum bitumen content for PKS 10, PKS 30 and PKS 50 were 4.72%, 4.86% and 4.90% individually. All optimum bitumen content in this research was satisfied with JKR Standard 2008 in term of the design parameter. The specimen of PKS 10, PKS 30 was classified as heavy traffic and PKS 50 was classified as medium traffic. PKS 10 was shown as a good partial replacement for natural aggregate due to the admissibility of parameter, environmental friendly factor and cheapest in costing.