Effects of Hydrocarbon on the Compressive Strength of Concrete Using Pebbles

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of contaminated hydrocarbon (waste engine oil) on the workability and compressive strength of concrete. Concrete produced in regions where crude oil is exploited can have adverse effect on its properties as a result of its contact with contaminated hydrocarbons. Concrete cubes of size 150 x 150 x 150 mm3 were produced by adding the waste engine oil in the mixing water by 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 2.5% as adopted from literature. W/C of 0.55 and a mix design of 1:1.5:3 were used and cured for 7 and 28 days. The compressive strength obtained at 28 days of curing is 30.03, 26.08, 18.37, 17.14, and 15.04 N/mm2 for 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 2.5% replacement levels, respectively. The results of workability are 10, 13, 15, 20, and 30 mm for 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 2.5%, respectively. This implies that the 28-day compressive strength values at 0.5% hydrocarbon content are 26.08 N/mm,2 which is the optimum replacement and can be used for structural applications such as in the construction of reinforced concrete slabs, beams, columns, and foundations [1], while other replacement levels are 20 N/mm2 and 10 N/mm2 limits, respectively, as recommended by [2] for lightweight concrete production.