Effect of Non-Traditional Supplementary Cementitious Materials in Concrete

Abstract

Fly ash, silica fume, metakaolin and ground granulated blast furnace slag, etc. have been established as traditional supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) and cement replacement materials; however, other alternate materials such as palm oil fuel ash (POFA), palm oil clinker powder (POCP), eco-processed pozzolan (EPP) and rice husk ash (RHA) have emerged as non-traditional materials that would take a role in replacing some of those established SCM. With a closure of most of the coal-operated power plants and imminent closure of more plants, the search for alternate materials is on the rise. Thus, it is mandatory for the researchers and cement manufacturers to invest more time and efforts to apply sustainable development goals (SDG) on the replacement of virgin materials to achieve low-carbon materials. The suitability and the effect of the above-mentioned non-traditional materials are detailed and discussed. The oxide composition, particle size and shapes through multiple tests and investigations are outlined. The plentiful availability of such non-traditional materials not only paves way for more research interest, but a genuine means of execution of plans to vigorously utilize those materials. The concrete quality on using such materials such as pore refinement, creation of additional C–S–H and dilution effects has been discussed.