Compressive Strength and Microstructure of Sugar Cane Bagasse Ash Concrete

Asma Abd Elhameed Hussein,Nasir Shafiq,Muhd Fadhil Nuruddin,Fareed Ahmed Memon

doi:10.19026/rjaset.7.569

Asma Abd Elhameed Hussein, Nasir Shafiq + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.19026/rjaset.7.569

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Abstract

This study presents the results of an experimental research study on the effectiveness of Sugar Cane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) as a cement replacement material in concrete production. The ordinary Portland cement was replaced with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%, respectively bagasse ash, the effect of Sugar cane Bagasse Ash on workability, compressive strength and microstructure of Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ) of concrete was examined. The results showed that inclusion of Sugar cane Bagasse Ash in concrete up to 20% level significantly enhanced the compressive strength of concrete at all ages; the highest compressive strength was obtained at 5% SCBA replacement level. The ITZ thickness was greatly reduced with increasing the bagasse ash replacement level up to 15%, beyond that the ITZ thickness was slightly increased, however the thickness was still narrower than the normal concrete, it was observed that at 15% bagasse ash replacement level, the interfacial transition zone was homogeneous and there was no gap between the coarse aggregate and the paste matrix.

Highlights

Utilization of agricultural, industrial and agroindustrial by-products in the form of processed ash attracting researchers to explore their potential as cement replacement material or mineral admixture to the properties of concrete at multiple levels
The particle size of Sugar Cane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) is much finer than the cement particle but its texture is more glassy similar to that of the fly ash particles, improved workability can be attributed to the low value of LOI 1.4% which indicates the SCBA is completely burned and there is no carbon content in the ash, similar observation was reported in the available research by others (Cordeiro et al, 2010; Srinivasan and Sathiya, 2010)
The percentage of reduction in Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ) thickness for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 an 30% SCBA was about 31, 37, 100, 70, 57 and 50%, respectively as compared to the reference normal concrete NC, it is worthy to notice that at 15% SCBA, Fig. 9, there was no gap to be measured between the aggregate and mortar and the microstructure was very homogeneous, this can be attributed to the pore refinement which led to an improved microstructure at interfacial zone

Summary

Introduction

Utilization of agricultural, industrial and agroindustrial by-products in the form of processed ash attracting researchers to explore their potential as cement replacement material or mineral admixture to the properties of concrete at multiple levels. Sugar cane bagasse ash is recently accepted as a pozzolanic material; there is limited research data available on the effects of SCBA on the properties of concrete.

Results

Conclusion