Seaz Resource
Company Details
Company Introduction
IntroductionPalm kernel shells are not common materials in the construction industry. This is either because they are not available in very large quantities as sand or gravel, or because their use for such has not been encouraged. For some time now, the Nigerian government has been clamouring for the use of local materials in the construction industry to limit costs of construction. There has therefore been a greater call for the sourcing and development of alternative, non conventional local construction materials. Palm kernel shells are derived from the oil palm tree (elaeis guineensis), an economically valuable tree, and native to western Africa and widespread throughout the tropics [1]. In Nigeria, the oil palm tree generally grows in the rain forest region close to the coastal areas and adjacent to some inland waterways. [2] Wrote that palm kernel shells are used mostly as a source of fuel for domestic cooking in most areas where they occur. He stated further that the shells are often dumped as waste products of the oil palm industry. [3, 4] Stated that the two predominant varieties of palm fruits namely tenera and dura; produce about 1.5 million tones of palm kernel shells per annum in Nigeria. Palm kernel shells have been used as aggregates in light and dense concretes for structural and non-structural purposes [5, 6]. [7] Went further to show that the 28 day compressive strength of concrete with palm kernel shells as aggregate range between 0.3 and 20.5N/mm2 depending on the proportion in the mix.Asphalt concrete is derived from a mixture of coarse and fine aggregates, stone dust, mineral fillers and binder, usually bitumen. The mix is done such that the finished product does not have too much bitumen which will eventually lead to a bleeding and frictionless surface, or too much coarse aggregate to lead to raveling of the surface. The asphalt and aggregate are usually mixed and heated at a central location. Asphalt concrete surfaces are fairly easy to construct and repair [1].
Company Information
