Utilizing Coal Bottom Ash from Thermal Power Plants in Vietnam as Partial Replacement of Aggregates in Concrete Pavement

Abstract

In Vietnam, a large amount of coal bottom ash (CBA) is being discharged from thermal power plants and has been making serious environmental pollution. It is essential to utilize the CBA to reduce environmental pollution. So, this paper presents a series of experimental studies in the laboratory using CBA as a partial replacement of aggregates in concrete pavement for rural roads. In mixing concrete, the CBA is utilized to replace 15, 30, and 100% aggregates. The design of the composition must achieve the technical requirement of M-30 grade of concrete. A total 351 of specimens were tested on workability of fresh concrete, abrasion, compressive strength, and flexural tensile strength in order to achieve the technical requirement of concrete pavement for rural roads. Based on the experimental results, in order to achieve the required compressive strength, An Khanh CBA concrete uses more content of cement and water than control concrete; Cao Ngan CBA is only utilized to replace 15% aggregates, and Cao Ngan CBA concrete also uses more cement and water than control concrete. It also shown that the amount of water and cement content depend on types of CBA and the water amount and cement content of CBA concrete are larger than those of control concrete. The advantage of mixture CBA concrete is abrasion, and flexural tensile strength achieved the value as per the technical requirement.