Engineering Properties of Concrete with a Ternary Blend of Fly Ash, Wheat Straw Ash, and Maize Cob Ash

Abstract

In recent years, recycled materials mostly available in abundant quantities in local agricultural fields are considered as potential constituent material for concrete production. Also, cement production emits many toxic gases in the atmosphere, which causes environmental pollution and greenhouse gases. Thus, recyc;ed materials, such as fly ash (FA), wheat straw ash (WSA), and maize corn ash (MCA) are condered as cementitious binders in concrete for sustainable development. This study aims to determine the engineering properties of concrete with a ternary blend of fly ash, wheat straw ash, and maize cob ash. A total of 73 concrete cubes, 42 reinforced concrete prisms and 42 concrete cylinders were cast to examine mechanical properties of concrete at 7, 28, and 56 curing days. At 28 days (maturity period), the experimental results showed an increase in compressive, tensile, and flexural strength by 12.28%, 9.33%, and 9.93%, respectively, at 9% substitution of ternary cementitious materials (TCM). However, the density of concrete was reduced by 9.92%, with an increase in the TCM content after 28 days. Moreover, the modulus of elasticity was improved by 14.23% with an increase in the content of TCM up to 18% after 28 days, and drying shrinkage of concrete was reduced with the introduction of TCM content after 50 days. However, the workability of fresh concrete decreased as the percentage of TCM increased. Results of this study proved that agricultural materials investgated could be good fit as binder in cementitious composites.