Mechanical and durability properties of concrete incorporating silica fume and a high volume of sugarcane bagasse ash

Abstract

Minimizing the cement amount used to produce concrete significantly reduces non-renewable raw materials, primarily clays and limestone or chalk, used in cement production. Equally reduced is the large amount of energy used in clinker production and CO2 emission released to the atmosphere during the calcination of limestone, which results in global warming. On the other hand, large amounts of industrial and agricultural waste with little alternative use are produced in large quantities worldwide. Both strength and durability have been observed to increase significantly when these materials are combined in concrete in modest amounts, which allows them to be used in structural members. This research investigates the effect of high-volume sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) replacement of Portland cement from 10%–50% in concrete production. It was observed that structural grade concretes with 28-day cube crushing strengths of more than 25 MPa could be obtained, with strength increasing with age to more than 30 MPa at 180 days. In addition, good heat insulation, stability at high temperatures up to 600 °C, and reduced density were observed as added advantages.