The durability of the concrete incorporating processed bagasse ash toward sulfuric acid resistance

Abstract

Sulfuric acid is highly corrosive and can decompose different calcium compounds in the cement part of the concrete, which causes rapid deterioration of hardened concrete to become soft. This paper investigated the effect of replacing processed bagasse ash (PBA) with cement at a dosage of 10% to 50% combined with silica fume in concrete toward sulfuric acid resistance; in addition, dry shrinkage was assessed. For sulfuric acid resistance, specimens were cast and cured for 90 days in normal water, followed by 28 and 56 days submerged in 3% sulfuric acid. The visual appearance, loss of weight, and loss of compressive strength were assessed. Also, drying shrinkage was measured up to 16 weeks. The findings showed that by including processed bagasse ash in the concrete, negligible surface deterioration, negligible weight reduction, and less compressive strength loss were observed. The result also concluded that drying shrinkage increased with time increases.