Performance of Olive Waste Ash Concrete Exposed to Thermal Cycling

Abstract This paper explores the influence of olive waste ash (OWA) on the performance of concrete to thermal cycling. The performance of concrete to thermal cycling was evaluated by measuring the compressive strength, electrical conductance, and visual inspection of cracks in concrete specimens. Three OWA replacements were utilized in the study: 7, 15, and 22 % by weight of sand. The other experimental parameters investigated in the study were aggregate type (crushed limestone and volcanic pumice), water to cement (w/c) ratio (0.4 and 0.6), and curing type (moist and autoclaving curing). After the initial moist curing, concrete specimens were exposed to thermal cycling regime in the range from 30 to 150°C during a period of 24 h using an electric furnace. The results of the study showed that thermal cycling of OWA concrete resulted in significant cracks and damage in concrete specimens. The OWA concrete was found more resistant to thermal cycling compared to plain concrete. Additionally, the resistance of OWA concrete to thermal cycling increased with increasing the OWA content. The OWA concrete containing pumice aggregate showed more resistance to thermal cycling than OWA concrete containing limestone aggregate. The resistance of OWA concrete at w/c ratio of 0.4 to thermal cycling was observed higher compared to OWA concrete at w/c ratio of 0.6. The autoclaved OWA concrete showed higher improvement to thermal cycling than the moist cured OWA concrete.