Evaluation of Workability and Mechanical Properties of Bottom Ash Aggregate Concrete

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the workability and mechanical properties of concrete containing bottom ash, which is an industrial byproduct, as an aggregate. Twelve concrete mixtures, including concrete containing bottom ash aggregate (CCBA), are classified into three groups of W/C 0.45, 0.375, and 0.3 according to the target strength. Each group includes four mixtures in which natural aggregate and bottom ash are applied as fine and coarse aggregates according to particular ratios. On the basis of the test results, a reliable model to predict the 28-day compressive strength of CCBA is proposed by applying regression analysis. The proposed model points out that when applying bottom ash as aggregate, the concrete density is lowered, and W/C should be reduced to offset the lowered compressive strength. As a result of comparing experimental values with the existing design code models, it is found that while the fib model accurately predicts compressive strength development and tensile resistance capacity in general, the ACI 318 code overestimates the elastic modulus at the oven-dried density (ρc) range of 1840 kg/m3 and above. Accurate prediction of the mechanical properties of CCBA requires the measurement of additional experimental data that consider W/C and ρc as important parameters.