The Effect Of Water/cement Ratio On Compressive Strength Of Palm Kernel Shell Concrete At 1:2:4 Nominal Mix

CHAPTER THREE
3.0    METHODOLOGY
For better achievement of this project, the following stages are ensured:
    COLLECTION OF MATERIALS
    The materials comprises of cement, sand, palm kernel shell and water. Palm kernel shell was obtained from a local palm kernel producing village Oko, Irepodun LGA, Kwara State Nigeria.
    PREPARATION OF PALM KERNEL SHELL (PKS)
Due to high water absorption of palm kernel shells, it is mandatory to soak the aggregate for about 30 minutes. It is also proper to remove dust, oil and other mud particles which may be present and stuck to the surface of the palm kernel shells. Finally, it should be air dried for about 24 hours and ready for use.
    Laboratory Test
The test to be carried out so as to achieve the aim of this project include: Sieve analysis, Specific gravity, Water absorption capacity, aggregate impact value, slump test, compressive strength test at 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th, day for mix ratio 1:2:4
3.1    DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
3.1.2  Collection of Material
The material comprises of cement, sand, palm kernel shell and water. Sand was obtained from a construction site along basin road, Ilorin and cement was purchased from a cement store with good quality assurance. Palm kernel shell was obtained from a local palm kernel producing village Oko, Irepodun L.G.A Kwara state, Nigeria.
3.1.3 PREPARATION OF PALM KERNEL SHELL (PKS)
Palm kernel shell is usually coated with palm oil coupled with mud particles due to the storage method adopted in the production mill, therefore pretreatment is necessary to remove these impurities before it is used in the production of concrete. For this research, washing with detergent was adopted. After washing, proper rinsing with water was done in order to remove residual detergent which can affect the performance of the concrete. The Palm kernel shell is then air dried for more that 24hrs and then sieved.
3.2    Laboratory Test
3.2.1      Sieve Analysis
    A sieve analysis (or gradation test) is a practice or procedure used (commonly used in civil engineering) to assess the practice size distribution (also called gradation) of a granular material.
    The size distribution is often of practical importance to the way the material performs in use. A sieve analysis can be performed on any type of non-organic or organic granular materials including sands, crushed rock, clays, granite, feldspars, coal, soil, a wide range of manufactured powders grain and seeds down to a minimum size depending on the exact method.