Penggunaan Limbah Tongkol Jagung Sebagai Bahan Tambah pada Pembuatan Bata Ringan

Abstract

Abundant corn cob waste in Malua District, Enrekang Regency, holds potential for use as an additive in lightweight brick production, offering a way to reduce cement consumption while enhancing the utilization of agricultural waste. This study aimed to determine the effect of adding corn cob charcoal on the water absorption and compressive strength of lightweight bricks. An experimental method was employed at the Structures and Materials Laboratory, utilizing corn cob charcoal addition levels of 2.5%, 5.0%, and 7.5%. Testing was conducted at curing ages of 7, 14, and 28 days. The parameters tested included weight, water absorption, and compressive strength. The results indicate that the addition of corn cob charcoal influenced the water absorption of lightweight bricks at 28 days; specifically, higher percentages of corn cob charcoal addition resulted in higher water absorption values. The lowest water absorption value (14.50%) was observed at the 2.5% addition level, increasing to 17.48% at the 5.0% level, and rising further to 26.24% at the 7.5% level. Regarding compressive strength at 28 days, higher percentages of corn cob charcoal addition resulted in lower compressive strength values. The highest compressive strength (1.00 MPa) was obtained at the 2.5% addition level, decreasing to 0.875 MPa at the 5.0% level, and dropping further to 0.625 MPa at the 7.5% level.