Classification of the sugarcane residues and their characteristics—an environmental assessment of mortar with addition of sugarcane residues

Abstract

The use of agro-residue in resource-limited regions can be a smart way for civil construction to reduce costs, reduce emissions of pollutant gases and, at the same time, contribute to the reduction of natural resource extraction. This research focused on an easy and worldwide accessible classification of sugarcane residue as materials for civil construction. The residues were collected from a sugar mill and categorized in bagasse fiber (BF), sand (BS), and ash (BA). The physical and mechanical properties of the BF and the chemical composition of the BA were studied. Afterward, mortar specimens were prepared to obtain the flexural strength. Finally, an environmental assessment was made. This study revealed that the residues of sugarcane in Okinawa are viable to use as material in civil construction since the flexural strength of the mortar added with residues increased when compared with the control mortar, even with the presence of reducing sugars. In addition, with the use of sugarcane residues in mortar, it was possible to decrease the CO2 emissions, reducing around 8% the environmental load.