An Experimental Investigation on Partial Replacement of Oil Palm Shell as Coarse Aggregate and M Sand as Fine Aggregate with Elevated Temperature

Concrete plays a pivotal role in construction, and the quest to enhance its performance and sustainability is ongoing. Aggregates, comprising 70-80% of concrete, are traditionally made of crushed rocks as coarse aggregates and river sand as fine aggregates. However, increasing demand for these natural resources due to growing construction activities has escalated costs and raised environmental concerns. This study investigates the potential of using Oil Palm Shell (OPS) as a partial replacement for coarse aggregates and Manufactured Sand (M Sand) as a substitute for fine aggregates in M30 grade concrete. Furthermore, the study examines how these replacements affect the concrete’s properties when exposed to elevated temperatures. Various tests were conducted to evaluate slump, split tensile strength, compressive strength, and flexural strength of concrete specimens after 7, 14, and 28 days of curing. Concrete samples were prepared with varying proportions of OPS (5%, 10%, and 15%) and M Sand (10%, 20%, and 30%), along with combinations of both. The results indicated that the inclusion of OPS and M Sand improved the concrete’s strength properties, with certain mixtures outperforming conventional concrete. The analysis of these outcomes underscores the factors contributing to the enhanced strength, demonstrating the potential of OPS and M Sand in boosting the durability and sustainability of concrete structures. Adopting these materials not only reduces construction costs but also promotes environmentally sustainable practices within the construction industry.