International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 10, Issue 04, April 2019, pp. 1211-1218, Article ID: IJCIET_10_04_127
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=04
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
© IAEME Publication
Scopus Indexed
COMPARISON OF CELLULAR LIGHTWEIGHT
CONCRETE WITH ADDITION OF PALM OIL
MIDRIBS
Zainuri*
Doctoral Program in Environmental Sciences Postgraduate Program University of Riau
Jl. Patimura No. 09 Gobah, Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia.
Sujianto
Postgraduate Lecturer in Environmental Sciences, University of Riau Postgraduate Program
Jl. Patimura No. 09 Gobah, Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia.
Adrianto Ahmad
Lecturer at the Chemical of Engineering, University of Riau, Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia.
Feliatra
Marine Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Marine Science, Fisheries and Marine
Sciences Faculty, University of Riau, Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia.
*corresponding author
ABSTRACT
Riau Province, Indonesia, has oil palm plantations that continue. Based on
statistical data (BPS Indonesia, 2017) in 2016 the area of oil palm plantations in Riau
province was 2,430,500 hectares and the potential for large oil palm midrib waste. In
order for waste not to cause problems, the waste must be utilized, one of them added as
a mixture of CLC. The purpose of this study was to find a mixture of ingredients made
from CLC (Cellular Lightweight Concrete) fibers using materials added to oil palm
midribs. The assessment of product feasibility was determined based on the
compressive strength, water absorption and density of the CLC products produced by
the fiber. The study was presented using a descriptive method. The research conducted
is quantitative research using experimental approaches and laboratory research. The
findings of this study are that the best addition of oil palm midribs is 2.5% of the weight
of cement. The conclusion is the best addition of oil palm midribs in the CLC job mix
is 2.5% of the weight of cement with an average compressive strength of 44.60 kg/cm2
at 28 days; The average water absorption value at 28 days is 10.94%; The average
density value at 28 days is 1.33 gr/cm3; the job mix consists of 480 kg of cement; 720
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Zainuri, Sujianto, Adrianto Ahmad and Feliatra
kg of sand; 207.5 liters of water mortar; 44 liters of air foam agent; 2.0 liters of foam
agent and palm oil midribs 2.5% of the weight of cement.
Keywords: CLC; compressive strength; midrib; fiber.
Cite this Article: Zainuri, Sujianto, Adrianto Ahmad and Feliatra, Comparison of
Cellular Lightweight Concrete with Addition of Palm Oil Midribs. International
Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 10(04), 2019, pp. 1211-1218
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=04
1. INTRODUCTION
Indonesia is the largest palm oil producer country in the world. Oil palm plantations in
Indonesia spread in several regions and several large islands such as the island of Sumatra and
the island of Borneo. Riau Province on Sumatra Island has oil palm plantations that continue
to grow over time. Based on statistical data (BPS Indonesia, 2017) in 2016 the area of oil palm
plantations in Riau province was 2,430,500 hectares.
Extensive oil palm plantations have clearly visible waste, namely oil palm midribs. Almost
all parts of the oil palm plantations can be utilized, but specifically oil palm midribs are still
not optimally utilized. Several studies have tried the use of oil palm midrib waste such as
research (Widiastuti, 2015) which utilizes oil palm midribs for handicraft products. The results
of the study are still contained on paper, there has been no follow-up so that the oil palm midribs
still accumulate into waste until now.
Palm oil midribs have fiber that is quite strong, not inferior to the strength of other organic
fibers such as palm fiber and coconut fiber that have been used to make upholstery/chairs,
ropes, and others. Organic fiber has been tested in the manufacture of concrete and other
building materials such as plasterboard, concrete blocks and lightweight concrete. Many
studies reinforce the claim that organic fibers are better used in the manufacture of construction
materials, namely research results (Anandaraju et al. 2015), (Arsyad, 2014), (Chee-Ming Chan,
2011), (Kristiawan, 2015), (Parbhane, 2014) and several other researchers.
The advantages of organic fiber are behind the research on the use of palm oil midrib fiber
as an added ingredient in the manufacture of fiber CLC. The purpose of this study was to find
a mixture of ingredients made from CLC (Cellular Lightweight Concrete) fibers using
materials added to oil palm midribs. The product feasibility assessment is determined based on
the value of compressive strength, water absorption and density of the CLC product of the fiber
produced.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
CLC is a concrete material that is lightened by the presence of many air pores formed by adding
foam in a mixture of concrete-forming materials. The main advantage of CLC is to reduce the
burden that must be borne by building structures. With the addition of oil palm midribs, it is
expected that product shortages in terms of strength can be overcome.
2.1. Material
The main ingredients for making CLC fiber are cement, fine aggregate, water and foam.
Cement type used is type I PCC (Portland Composite Cement) available locally with the Semen
Padang trademark. The fine aggregate used is sand originating from Kampar District. Foam is
obtained from the results of shaking the foam agent and water. The water used comes from
good quality groundwater (odorless, colorless and tasteless). In addition to these staples, a
certain portion of dry palm frond fiber is added.
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Comparison of Cellular Lightweight Concrete with Addition of Palm Oil Midribs
2.2. Method
The results of the study were presented using descriptive methods. The research conducted is
quantitative research using experimental approaches and laboratory research.
2.2.1. Sample Making Design
The composition of the material used considers the strength of CLC fiber in accordance with
the SNI IV quality standards for solid concrete products. CLC specific gravity ranges from 300
- 1,900 kg/m3 according to the limits given by (Memon in Suryani, 2015). Addition of dried
palm frond fiber with a portion of 0.5%; 1.0%; 1.5%; 2.0%; 2.5%; 3.0% of the weight of cement
used. The number of samples made was 180 and tested at 7 days, 14 days and 28 days.
2.2.2. Formulation
Quality standards are used to measure product feasibility using SNI 03-0349-1989. The
formulations used in CLC fiber testing are :
Compressive strength testing by formula :
fc' 
P
A
(1)
Conducting water absorption testing using the formula :
Absorption (%) 
Mb  Mk
Mk
(2)
x 100%
Perform density testing using the formula :
ρ 
m
v
(3)
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1. Fiber CLC Compressive Test Results
Research (Zainuri, et al. 2018) on the effect of ways to separate oil palm midribs (chemical,
biological and mechanical) with variations in fiber addition of 1.0%, 3.0% and 5.0% of the
weight of cement on CLC production provides information that oil palm midribs processed by
chemical means using NaOH produce stiffer and stronger fibers. The highest value of
compressive strength occurs in the addition of oil palm midribs as much as 1.0% by 40.79
kg/cm2.
Other research (Zainuri et al. 2018), with solid brick products in the form of brick using
materials added palm oil midrib fibers from Pekanbaru with fiber variation of 1.0%, 3.0% and
5.0% show that the addition of oil palm midribs 1.0% of the weight of cement occupies the
highest compressive strength value of 77.13 kg/cm2. In the variation of fiber addition 3.0% the
compressive strength decreased to 66.26 kg/cm2.
Both of Zainuri's previous studies on the addition of oil palm midribs in concrete products
showed that the tolerance of adding oil palm midribs in concrete mixes did not exceed 3.0%,
so that in this study the highest portion of fiber used was 3.0% and the fiber used originated
from chemical separation.
The measurement results of compressive strength of CLC fiber samples made with several
variations of addition of oil palm midribs are listed in Table 1.
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Zainuri, Sujianto, Adrianto Ahmad and Feliatra
Table 1. Value of average CLC compressive strength of fiber
Fiber
Percentage
(%)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
7 Days Old
Compressive
Strength
(kg/cm2)
30.14
26.12
29.57
35.24
35.35
36.48
30.50
14 Days Old
Compressive
Strength
(kg/cm2)
32.71
27.19
30.55
37.32
39.25
41.31
35.40
28 Days Old
Compressive
Strength
(kg/cm2)
34.19
30.18
39.16
37.62
40.70
44.60
41.20
Quality
Standards
(kg/cm2)
25 (IV)
25 (IV)
25 (IV)
25 (IV)
40 (III)
40 (III)
40 (III)
Average Compressive Strength
(kg/cm2)
The tendency seen in the addition of fiber is the more weight of fiber added to the mortar,
the higher the compressive strength obtained, with the addition of fiber up to 2.5% of the weight
of cement. Addition of palm oil midribs 3.0% of the weight of cement the average compressive
strength obtained began to decline. Distribution of fiber CLC compressive strength at 28 days
with fiber addition 0.5%; 1.0%; 1.5%; 2.0%; 2.5% and 3.0% of the weight of cement shown in
the following figure.
50.00
45.00
40.00
35.00
30.00
25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00
0.00
y = -2.8671x2 + 14.292x + 24.77
R² = 0.8291
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
Fiber Variation (%)
Figure 1. Relationship between compressive strength and fiber
The increase in compressive strength that occurs is described as a parabolic shape, where
there is a decrease in the value of the fiber variation of 3.0%. The equation obtained is y = 2,8671x2 + 14,292x + 24,77. The equation obtained from the tendency of the value of each
sample group counts the determinant value (R2) of 0.8291, which explains that the value of
fiber CLC compressive strength on the addition of oil palm frond fiber variations carried out
according to the equation is explained 82.91% by the variable used. The remaining 17.09% is
explained by other factors outside the variables used. The correlation coefficient (r) is worth
0.9105. The positive correlation coefficient means that there is a positive relationship between
the variable addition of oil palm frond fiber (x) in CLC with the compressive variable CLC (y).
Research conducted by (Jayalakshmi, 2016) on CLC samples with the addition of coconut
fiber. The average compressive strength obtained by adding coconut fiber was 2.0% on the
weight of cement at the age of 7; 14 and 28 days is 1.7 N/mm2 (17 kg/cm2); 3.16 N/mm2 (31.6
kg/cm2) and 10.01 N/mm2 (100.1 kg/cm2). While the average compressive strength in this study
for fiber CLC was 2.0% at age 7; 14 and 28 days is 35.35 kg/cm2; 39.25 kg/cm2 and 40.70
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Comparison of Cellular Lightweight Concrete with Addition of Palm Oil Midribs
kg/cm2. The results of the 2.0% CLC fiber compressive strength of this study were better at 7
days and 14 days. But CLC fiber is 2.0% at 28 days, the average compressive strength is far
below the compressive strength of coconut fiber CLC. This can occur because CLC fiber added
with foam agent which makes the pores in the sample and the job mix used are also different.
The results of the study (Suganya, 2012) show tissue of cellulose fibers and smaller
branches of fiber called fibrils in which fibers and fibrillary tissue form a matrix, then the
matrix is coated with cement. When the fiber tissue and fibrils are dry, they are intertwined and
attached together with strong bonds. Coating of this fiber with cement creates a cement matrix,
which wraps the fiber so that it increases strength. The results of this study reinforce the finding
that the addition of palm oil midribs as organic fiber in CLC can increase the strength of the
CLC
The results of the study (Harle, 2014) compared several studies of concrete products with
added organic fiber materials such as coir fiber, the results of research (Ramli, 2010) palm oil
midribs fibers, (Ahmad, 2001) research results and (Sivaraja, 2010) research results with added
fiber. All of these studies show that fiber addition 0.2% - 2% can increase the value of
compressive strength of concrete products
4.2. CLC Fiber Water Absorption Test Results
The water absorption test results in the CLC samples made with several variations in the
addition of different oil palm midribs are shown in the following Table 2.
Table 2. Average water absorption value of fiber CLC
Fiber
Percentage
(%)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
7 Days Old
Compressive
Strength
(%)
12.83
11.77
11.35
10.77
10.43
10.12
8.88
14 Days Old
Compressive
Strength
(%)
15.48
14.40
15.27
13.03
15.49
12.16
10.51
28 Days Old
Compressive
Strength
(%)
15.40
13.95
13.41
12.82
10.76
10.94
9.60
Quality
Standards
(%)
25 (mutu I)
25 (mutu I)
25 (mutu I)
25 (mutu I)
25 (mutu I)
25 (mutu I)
25 (mutu I)
According to (Nithiya, et al., 2016) using ingredients added GGBS (Ground Granulated
Blastfurnax Slag) which is a by-product of combustion furnaces in the process of making glass
products. GGBS is like dust grains. The product made is solid brick size (190 x 90 x 90) cm.
The use of GGBS in the mixture is 20%, 30% and 50%. With the addition of 20% superlatex
fiber produced by CLC with a water absorption value of 20% using GGBS is 40.11% (SNI
permit limit for solid brick products is 35%). Thus from the consideration of water absorption,
the palm oil midribs CLC products are better than the results of the Nithiya study
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Average Water Absorption (%)
Zainuri, Sujianto, Adrianto Ahmad and Feliatra
15.00
13.00
11.00
9.00
y = -1.7839x + 15.036
R² = 0.9376
7.00
5.00
3.00
1.00
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
Fiber Variation (%)
Figure 2. Relationship between water absorption and fiber variation at 28 days
The distribution of water absorption values shown in Figure 2 can be drawn in a straight
line with the equation y = -1.7839x + 15.036. The equation informs that the greater the value
of x (the addition of fiber) then the value of water absorption of the product will be smaller.
The indicator used in product water absorption states that the lower the absorption of product
water, the better the quality of the product concerned. Thus, the greater the variation of oil palm
frond fiber which is added as material in making CLC, the better the quality of the product will
be due to lower water absorption.
The relationship between variables is very strong which is indicated by the correlation value
(r) = 0.9683. A very strong relationship between variables shows the existence of attachments
and influence each other. A high determinant value of 0.9376 shows that the fiber addition
variable has a large contribution in determining the value of product absorption.
4.3. Fiber CLC Density Test Results
The product density values obtained are not too different from other fiber portions in fiber CLC
materials. The addition of fiber portion does not have a significant effect on the density value
of fiber CLC products because the weight of the fiber inserted is also not too large in the range
of 8.1 gr - 40.5 gr. The results of laboratory tests to measure the density of fiber CLC products
are listed in Table 3 below.
Table 3. Average CLC fiber density values
Fiber
percentage
(%)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
7 Days Old
Density
(gr/cm3)
1.34
1.34
1.35
1.35
1.36
1.33
1.32
14 Days Old
Density
(gr/cm3)
1.30
1.36
1.37
1.36
1.36
1.36
1.33
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28 Days Old
Density
(gr/cm3)
1.27
1.34
1.34
1.34
1.34
1.33
1.29
Quality
Standards
(%)
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Comparison of Cellular Lightweight Concrete with Addition of Palm Oil Midribs
Research (Fitriadi, 2017) which uses fine marble powder and TKKS fibers in concrete
materials, shows that the best compressive strength test results with specific gravity of 1,046
kg/m3 obtained compressive strength of 4.11 MPa. With a smaller density, the strength of the
material obtained is higher. The difference in added ingredients used has an impact on the
differences in the results obtained
Average Density (gr/cm3)
1.40
1.35
1.30
1.25
y = -0.017x + 1.3602
R² = 0.6385
1.20
1.15
1.10
1.05
1.00
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
Fiber Variation (%)
Figure 3. Relationship between fiber density and variation of age 28 days
The equation formed from density and fiber data is y = -0,017x + 1,3602. Determinant
value R2 = 0.6385, which means that the value of fiber CLC density can be explained by the
variable variation in addition of oil palm midribs in the equation is 63.85%; the remainder is
explained by other factors outside the variable in the equation. The relationship between
variables namely 0.7991 which is expressed as a correlation coefficient (r) indicates that the
fiber addition variable and density value variable have a strong relationship.
The findings of this study are that the best addition of oil palm midribs is 2.5% of the weight
of cement. The job mix consists of 480 kg of cement; 720 kg of sand; 207.5 liters of water
mortar; 44 liters of air foam agent; 2.0 liters of foam agent.
5. CONCLUSION
Based on the results and discussion it can be concluded as follows: the best addition of oil palm
midribs in the CLC job mix is 2.5% of the weight of cement with the highest compressive
strength value of 44.60 kg/cm2 at 28 days; The average water absorption value at 28 days is
10.94%; The average density value at 28 days is 1.33 gr/cm3; the job mix consists of 480 kg of
cement; 720 kg of sand; 207.5 liters of water mortar; 44 liters of air foam agent; 2.0 liters of
foam agent and palm oil midribs 2.5% of the weight of cement.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Thank you, the author, to all parties who have provided assistance and facilities in completing
this research.
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