Investigations of Calcined Bagasse Ash on Mechanical Properties of Cement-Based Materials

摘要

Calcined bagasse ash is an agricultural by-product of sugar manufacturing, which is considered as a pozzolanic material and able to improve the behavior of cement-based material. This paper presents the experimental investigations of the effect on compressive strength, water absorption, microstructure, and hydration product of cement-based materials with replacing calcined bagasse ash. The calcined bagasse ash is used to partially replace Portland cement of mortar and concrete specimens at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% by weight. The specimens with calcined bagasse ash as a Portland cement replacement generally have lower compressive strengths and higher water absorptions in comparison with the standard specimens, which are explained by their microstructures and hydration products. Fortunately, calcined bagasse ash contains amorphous silica which has pozzolanic properties and thus is possible to be adopted as a cement replacement material to improve quality and to reduce the cost of construction materials. It is suggested by this study that calcined bagasse ash works well in cement-based materials within 10% replacement ratio of Portland cement by weight.