Penerapan Serat Kulit Pinang dan Superplastisizer Untuk Meningkatkan Kuat Tekan dan Workability Beton Dengan Rasio Air-Semen Rendah

Abstract

Concrete with a low water-to-cement ratio (W/C 0.35) enhances compressive strength and environmental durability, but it often faces challenges related to workability, which can affect casting quality. This study aims to evaluate the impact of adding Areca nut husk fiber and superplasticizer on the compressive strength and workability of concrete at 7 and 28 days of curing. The experiment involved variations in concrete mixtures: normal concrete, concrete with 2.1% superplasticizer without fiber, and concrete with 2%, 2.5%, and 3% Areca nut husk fiber combined with 2.1% superplasticizer. Compressive strength tests followed ASTM C39 standards, while workability was measured using the slump test (ASTM C143). The results showed that adding 2% Areca nut husk fiber with 2.1% superplasticizer increased the compressive strength by 33.56% at 7 days and 23.14% at 28 days compared to normal concrete. This combination also resulted in the highest slump value of 9,8 cm, indicating improved workability. However, adding more than 2.5% fiber reduced compressive strength, suggesting an optimal fiber usage point. This study concludes that combining Areca nut husk fiber and superplasticizer improves low W/C ratio concrete performance without compromising workability, supporting the development of high-performance and environmentally friendly concrete.