A review of fresh properties of self-compacting concrete incorporating sugarcane bagasse ash

Abstract

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a new generation concrete having high deformability in the fresh state and the ability to compact by itself without the use of vibrators, thus reducing time and labor. They are widely used nowadays in zones of congested reinforcements in concrete elements and structures. To achieve the necessary performance targets, SCC requires higher use of viscosity modifying agents and superplasticizers, which increase the cost of production significantly. Thereby, studies are being conducted for incorporating the use of agricultural wastes as partial substitutes for cement in SCC production to bring down the usage of the admixtures, along with lowering the cost. Agricultural wastes, such as sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), a waste generated from the sugar industry, if used as a partial replacement to cement after suitable processing, improve the fresh properties of SCC. The effect of fresh properties of SCC by the addition of SBA, as investigated by different authors is reviewed in this study. Results of slump flow test, V-funnel test, T500, L-box and J-ring test, obtained from the different papers are compiled and optimum content of SBA that has to be used for the required performance is concluded. Slump flow was observed to decrease with increasing SBA content in SCC, due to higher water absorption of the SBA particles, resulting in a more viscous concrete mix. Similarly, V-funnel time increased due to the increased viscosity. An increase was observed in T500, the time required for the slump flow to reach a diameter of 500 mm, as well. Thus, from analysis of the changes in the fresh properties, this literature review has helped us identify that a replacement of 10–15% cement with sugarcane bagasse ash provides desirable results.