Mechanical Performance of POFA-Modified Mortar Under Varying Curing Regimes
Nurul Hana MOHAMAD ZAINI, Nuril Izzeaty ISHAK, Mohamad Nidzam RAHMAT
Abstract. The accelerated urbanization rate has intensified global demand, raising concerns over the environmental impact of CO₂ emissions from cement production. Palm oil fuel ash (POFA), a silica-rich agro-industrial by-product, offers potential as a sustainable partial cement replacement due to its pozzolanic properties. This study evaluates the effects of POFA particle sizes of 212 µm and 150 µm on mortar performance, incorporating manufactured sand (M-sand) retained on a 600 µm sieve. Mortar cubes with dimensions of 50 × 50 × 50 mm were prepared with POFA replacement levels of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight of cement, alongside a control mixture. Specimens were subjected to normal and steam curing regimes and tested for compressive strength at 7 and 28 days. Results demonstrate that 10% POFA replacement yields an optimal compressive strength under steam curing regimes. The findings highlight POFA’s efficacy in enhancing mortar performance while reducing cement dependency, supporting environmentally responsible construction practices in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 12. Integrating POFA into cementitious systems represents a forward-thinking approach, fostering environmental responsibility and advancing innovation in construction practices.
Keywords
Mechanical Performance, POFA, Steam Curing, Green Mortar
Published online 7/15/2026, 8 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Nurul Hana MOHAMAD ZAINI, Nuril Izzeaty ISHAK, Mohamad Nidzam RAHMAT, Mechanical Performance of POFA-Modified Mortar Under Varying Curing Regimes, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 68, pp 174-181, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904237-23
The article was published as article 23 of the book Green Materials, Processing & Characterization
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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