Determination of Self Compacting Concrete (SCC) with Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) - Project Information and Background

This project involved the development and production of self-compacting concrete by utilizing POFA or Palm Oil Fuel Ash as the substitution of cement. The compressive and tensile properties of self compacting concrete were determined, and the effect of utilizing POFA as partial substitute of cements was identified. The project group consisted of team members, and the responsibilities included identifying the overall effects of using POFA as the partial substitute of cements in SCC. The main issue faced was while developing the SCC, and the solution was to check viscosity, compressive and tensile strengths by the diametrical compression as well as density. The project was successfully completed with the development of SCC with POFA.

CE 2.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Determination of Self Compacting Concrete (SCC) with Palm
Oil Fuel Ash (POFA)
Location of the project: Please fill
Project Duration: Please fill
Organization: Please fill
Role and Designation during the time: Team Member of the project
CE 2.2 Project Background
CE 2.2.1 Characteristics of the project
Self compacting concrete or self consolidating concrete is the mixture of concrete that
comprises of low yield stress, good resistance of segregation, moderate viscosity and higher
deformability. During the project, I investigated the several properties of fresh SCC as well as
the strength development of hardened SCC. I even determined the performance of fresh SCC
mixes with the help of few tests like slump flow test, L-box test, resistance to segregation
properties and slump flow T50. In this project, four distinct categories of self compacting
concrete substitutions were noted with different percentages of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% in
higher strength concrete. Therefore, I have documented that the compressive and tensile
strength indicate that around 20% of the POFA cement substitution is considered as the best
and is used as SCC mixture.
CE 2.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
Self compacting concrete or SCC eventually flows under the weight and does not
specifically require any of the external vibrations for compaction. During the project, I have

identified that the self-compacting concrete could be developed and produced with the help
of POFA or palm oil fuel ash cement substitution. I even carried out the experimental
investigation for studying the effect of utilizing POFA as the partial replacement of cement.
Therefore, in order to develop as well as determine the self compacting concrete, I have
developed the following objectives:
 To develop and produce self-compacting concrete by utilizing POFA or Palm Oil Fuel
Ash as the substitution of cement.
 To determine the compressive and tensile properties of self compacting concrete.
 To identify the effect of utilizing POFA as partial substitute of cements.
 To set up the experimental investigation for using POFA as cement substitution.
 To use waste POFA for getting better solution in sustainable construction.
CE 2.2.3 My area of work
Before starting the work on self compacting concrete with POFA as partial substitute,
I have studied several journals, books and previous researches that are relevant to the SCC
and POFA. I even have successfully conducted the comprehensive review of the previous
researches to understand the specifications and requirements that were needed for developing
the SCC. I also have further gathered as well as documented the outcomes obtained from the
several tests. I suggested to use waste POFA to get a better solution within sustainable
construction. The tensile and compressive properties of SCC were determined for
undertaking the detailed research of normal strength concrete.

CE 2.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: People involved in the project
CE 2.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
In this project, I undertook the responsibility of identifying the overall effects of using
POFA as the partial substitute of cements in SCC or self compacting concrete. I have
conducted a research on development of the self-compacting concrete and effect of palm
POFA as partial substitute material of cement. I even investigated the experimental set up
that was used in this particular project. I was also responsible for developing the prototype of
self compacting concrete. This prototype was satisfactorily performed by me with regards to
hardening and drying shrinkage, denseness after hardening, heat of hydration and many
others. I even documented the final report for developing and producing SCC.

CE 2.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 2.3.1 Comprehending the Theory of Project
The properties of self compacting concrete are easily developed and determined with
the help of POFA or Palm Oil fuel Ash. The mixed proportioning of the self-compacting
concrete was compared with the RCD and normal concrete. The viscosity of SCC paste is
considered as the highest amongst the several kinds of concrete for the lowest ratio of water
and powder.
CE 2.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
I have successfully worked for the development of self compacting concrete with
POFA. I have eventually conducted the parametric study to determine the suitable measures
even before starting my work. I have utilized my core knowledge about self compacting
concrete cement. The design and drawings of the project were done with the help of
AutoCAD software. For creating the prototype of the project, I have utilized my knowledge
of 3D printing. I have observed that the self compacting concrete can be developed with the
help of manufactured sand and the natural river sand is extremely good in this purpose. I even
identified the flexural behaviour of the slab structure. Moreover, I determined to achieve the
high deformability with an employment of the super plasticizer by simply keeping the ratio of
water and powder to the lower value.
CE 2.3.3 Accomplishment and Task Performed
I executed the project with the help of self-compactability testing. I checked whether
the concrete was self compactable or not and also adjusted the mixed proportion when the
self-compactability is not adequate. For the strength development of hardened SCC, concrete
cubes were prepared for the compression tests to measure the compressive strengths at ages
of 7, 14 and 28 days. The total number of 24 cubes and 24 cylinders with dimensions of

150x150x150 mm and 150x300 mm respectively with partial POFA cement substitutions
of 0%, 10%, 20%,30%.
CE 2.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
2.3.4.1 Issues
The main issue identified in this project was while developing the SCC. The high
fluidity and resisting power of segregation could not be pumped in the longer distances. The
possibility of utilizing several mineral by products was almost zero in this case and hence this
created a major issue for the concrete slab. The next issue was related to POFA. The POFA
that we were using in the beginning was fresh. Hence, the effectiveness of the concrete slabs
was reduced. I even suggested to use waste POFA for better results.
2.3.4.2 Solutions
I suggested relevant solutions to all the issues faced in this project. For the first issue
for high fluidity and resisting segregation power, I suggested to check viscosity, compressive
and tensile strengths by the diametrical compression as well as density. The next issue of
POFA was solved with adequate cohesion for meeting the regulatory conditions of precast
and structural parts.
CE 2.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
While reviewing as well as analyzing the previous researches on the self compacting
concrete, I have made the significant plan to produce the most creative as well as innovative
work. Being a responsible team member of the project, I made sure that I have a complete
idea regarding the previous experiments and their results. I did proper investigation of the
previous researches and also observed the complete change and effect of SCC after using
POFA.

CE 2.3.6 Collaborative Work
I have successfully worked with my project members and project leader for efficiently
and successfully completing the development of SCC with palm oil fuel ash. I have also
regularly discussed and communicated with the progress of determining the strength of
hardened concrete slabs. For the issues faced in this project during the process of fabrication,
I have discussed the same with my project team for solving these issues with higher
efficiencies.
CE 2.4 Project Review
CE 2.4.2 Project Overview
I have efficiently developed and produced SCC with POFA only after determining the
tensile and compressive properties of SCC. The different percentages of SCC concentration
were 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% in higher strength concrete. Hence, I was successful in
developing the SCC with the help of palm oil fuel ash.
CE 2.4.3 My Contribution to work
I have applied my knowledge for concrete slabs to determine the tensile properties of
self compacting concrete. For successfully conducting the project, I have utilized my
knowledge and skills of civil engineering with various theories.