Concrete Made with Partial Substitutions of Wheat Straw Ash: A Review

Abstract

Many scientists are now focusing their attention on the utilization of valuable industrial or agricultural wastes as the primary raw material for the construction sector. These wastes, on the other hand, are affordable and readily accessible, making them ideal for commercial use while also contributing to the reduction of environmental degradation. Wheat straw ash (WTSA) is a kind of agricultural waste that has the potential to be utilized in concrete. Although many researchers are focused on utilization of WTSA in concrete. However, an updated review is required which provides easy access for the reader to get an idea about the benefits of WTSA in concrete. Therefore, this study provides a comprehensive review of the utilization of WTSA as a concrete ingredient. Physical and chemical compositions of WTSA, flowability, mechanical strength (compressive, flexure, tensile strength, and elastic modulus), and durability properties (permeability, carbonation, ultrasonic pulse velocity, alkali-silica reaction and chloride attacks) are the main aspects of this review. Results indicate that the performance of concrete improved with partial substitutions of cement with WTSA but simultaneously decreased the flowability of concrete. The optimum dose is important as higher dose results in decreased mechanical strength. The typical optimum dose ranges from 10 to 20% by weight of the binder. The performance of concrete in terms of durability was also improved but less research is carried out on the durability performance of concrete with WTSA. Additionally, despite WTSA's improvement in mechanical strength, concrete still exhibits lower tensile strain, which leads to brittle failure. Therefore, it was recommended that further study should be done to increase its tensile strength.