Petroleum ash as concrete compressive strength enhancer

Abstract

The environment is adversely affected by a huge volume of petroleum waste. It's one of the most common wastes from oil refineries, transportation, and production. The use of petroleum waste converted to ash as a compressive strength enhancer in concrete would provide an environmental and economic benefit. The study investigates the effect of petroleum ash as an additive in obtaining a certain level of compressive strength in concrete. A total of 15 samples of conventional concrete and 15 samples of concrete with petroleum ash (PA) were prepared using mix M15 with a ratio of 1:2:4. Fresh mixtures were slump tested to measure their workability before being formed into cubes. Every 5 samples of conventional concrete and 5 samples of concrete with PA were given a 7- day, 14-day, and 28-day curing period, respectively. The compressive strengths of each of the 15 samples of conventional concrete and the 15 samples of concrete with PA were determined after curing. The findings of the experiment show that adding PA to concrete has a significant difference in its compressive strength at ages 7, 14, and 28 days and changes its morphology. The workability of both concrete mixes has a minimal difference when 1.5% PA was added. Calcium Silicate Hydrate CSH) gel being formed improves the concrete's compressive strength, which is seen in the morphology of the concrete containing PA.