IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)
e-ISSN: 2278-1684, p-ISSN: 2320-334X
PP 33-37
www.iosrjournals.org
STUDIES ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE
USING SUGARCANE BAGASSE ASH (SCBA)
Shivakumar S A1, Karthik M N2, Sidramappa S I3
1
(M.Tech, Applied Mechanics Department, SVNIT, Surat, Gujarat, India)
2
(M.Tech, ICM Department, Raasta Centre for Road and Technology, Bangalore, Karnataka, India)
3
(Professor, Civil Engineering Department, BEC, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India)
ABSTRACT: Utilization of industrial and agricultural waste in the industry has been the focus of research for
economical, environmental and technical reasons. Sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA), an industrial waste, is
hazardous, if disposed off in normal environment. However, is being used as fuel in the same sugarcane mill
that leaves 8-10% ash containing unburnt matter, silica and alumina. As crystallization of minerals occurs at
high temperatures, these ashes are not so reactive. Hence, in order to increase the reactivity between the cement
and SCBA use of activators, mineral admixtures and plasticizers is essential depending upon the required
conditions. The Chemical properties of SCBA and Fly Ash are nearly same. Fly ash is already being used as
replacement for cement in concrete but SCBA is not that widely used, which encouraged us to take up this topic
for the project.
This SCBA is produced in abundant quantity in places surrounding Bagalkot. So, an attempt is made to
compare the results of compressive strength and split tensile strength of the specimens with and without the
replacement of Sugarcane bagasse ash. Specimens are prepared for Normal Strength (less than 50MPa) and
High Strength (above 50MPa) concrete. Specimens for M20, M40, M60 and M80 grade of concrete are cast and
the same results are discussed further.
Keywords– Sugarcane Bagasse Ash, Activator, Plasticizer, Fly Ash, Crystallization
1. INTRODUCTION
Sugarcane is one of the major crops grown in over 110 countries and its total production is over 1500 million
tons. After the extraction of all economical sugar from sugarcane, about 40-45% fibrous residue is obtained,
which is reused in same industry as fuel in boilers for heat generation leaving behind 8-10% ash as waste,
known as Sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA). The SCBA contains high amounts of unburnt matter, silica, alumina
and calcium oxides. It is very valuable pozzolona material if carbon free and amorphous ash could be obtained
by further combustion. But these ashes are produced under uncontrolled and non-uniform burning conditions
with temperatures rising above 1000°c resulting in a crystallization of the matter [1]. Sugarcane production in
India is over 300 million ton/year leaving about 10 million tons of SCBA as un-utilized and hence waste
material. Sugarcane bagasse ash is normally used as fertilizer in sugarcane plantation.
The application of pozzolanic materials has been extended to the development of high performance
concretes used for construction of high specifications. The use of pozzolanas in production of concrete brings
positive effects to the environment, since by substituting large quantities of cement in concrete, reduces the
problem associated with their disposal [1], and the decrease in the emission of greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2),
the main cause of global warming. Each ton of cement produces about one tonne of CO2 [9] and the cement
industry is responsible for 5% of CO2 emissions worldwide [9]. Some of the most commonly used pozzolanic
materials in concrete, such as fly ash and silica fume are sub products of industrial processes [9]. However, there
are other pozzolans that have been used on a smaller scale, such as natural pozzolans, metakaolin and
agribusiness ashes such as rice husks and sugarcane bagasse ashes [9]. An option to promote the use of
pozzolanic materials in developing countries is by studying waste materials that are generated in abundance in
the region, and do not require too excessive treatments that make more expensive the final products [9]. One of
these materials is the sugar cane bagasse ash (SCBA).
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IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)
e-ISSN: 2278-1684, p-ISSN: 2320-334X
PP 33-37
www.iosrjournals.org
2. NEED OF SUGARCANE BAGASSE ASH (SCBA) USAGE
Each ton of cement produces approximately about one ton of CO2 and cement industry is responsible for the
emission of about 5% of CO2 worldwide [9]
Brings positive effect to the environment
When used as replacement for cement in concrete, it reduces the problem associated with their disposal
Decrease in the emission of greenhouse gases
3. PROCESS OF EXTRACTION OF SCBA
To obtain Sugarcane Bagasse ash (SCBA), burning was carried out in two stages- open burning followed by
controlled burning at 600°C for 5 hours (actual procedure), but the SCBA used for our project is collected from
Bilagi Sugarcane factory where the burning temperature of SCBA was around 900-1100°C. SCBA so obtained
was not fine enough to be blended with the cement; therefore to achieve fineness compared to OPC, the ash
obtained after burning was grounded in a ball mill and subsequently screened through 45µ sieve.
TABLE 1 Chemical Properties of OPC and SCBA according to literature [1]
SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO SO3 K2O LOI
OPC 18.4 5.6 3.0 66.8 1.4 2.8 0.5 2.0
SCBA 62.43 4.38 6.98 11.8 2.51 1.48 3.53 4.73
3.1 Some of the uses of SCBA are as follows
It is used as Mineral Admixture
It is used as Replacement for Sand
It is used as Replacement for Cement
It is used for the Extraction of Silica
It is used in the manufacture of Tiles in Ceramic industry
It is used as fuel in the same sugarcane industry to stoke boilers that produce steam for electricity generation
4. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
4.1General
To accomplish the objectives of the study, the experimental program was carried out on cubes and cylinders.
The details of the materials used for these specimens and testing procedure incorporated in the test program are
presented in the subsequent sections.
Material Property Value
Coarse Aggregate
Specific Gravity 2.86
Water Absorption 1.62%
Sand
Fineness Modulus 2.63
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IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)
e-ISSN: 2278-1684, p-ISSN: 2320-334X
PP 33-37
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TABLE Specific Gravity 2.56 2 Properties of Materials
Cement
Initial Setting time 95 mins
Final Setting time 3 hrs 5 mins
Specific Gravity 2.7
SCBA
Specific Gravity 1.36
4.2 Materials used to cast Cubes and Cylinders
Cement : Ordinary Portland Cement of 43grade
Sand : Natural river sand-well graded passing through 4.75mm sieve
Aggregates: Crushed well graded aggregates passing through 20mm and retained on 10mm sieve
Bagasse ash: Bagasse ash passing through 45µ is used
Gypsum: Passed under 300µ is used
Super plasticizer: Conplast SP-430 is used
4.3 Concrete Mix Design
The process of selecting suitable ingredients of concrete and determining their relative amounts with the
objective of producing a concrete of required strength, durability, workability as economically as possible is
termed the concrete mix design.
The proportioning of ingredients of concrete is governed by the required performance of two states
namely- the plastic state and hardened state. If the plastic concrete is not workable, it cannot be properly placed
and compacted. The property of workability therefore, becomes of vital importance.
TABLE 3 Proportioning of Materials
Materials Cement Sand Coarse w/c Water Super
Aggregate plasticizer(%)
(kg/m3) (kg/m3) (kg/m3)
(kg/m3)
Grade
M20 394.00 666.68 1122.26 0.50 197 -
M40 410.80 719.00 1265.26 0.38 156 0.75
M60 578.60 630.70 1053.30 0.28 162 2.0
M80 680.00 695.50 838.80 0.25 170 2.5
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SCMS School of Engineering and Technology
IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)
e-ISSN: 2278-1684, p-ISSN: 2320-334X
PP 33-37
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5. RESULTS
5.1 General
The testing of various cubes and cylinders specimens has been carried out with respect to the Indian Standard
Specifications. The compressive test was carried out with different percentage of bagasse ash.
From the literature survey it can be observed that the compressive strength of cubes and cylinders depends on
the percentage replacement of the bagasse ash. Further, with the increase in the percentage replacement of
bagasse ash the strength decreases. To improve the strength characteristics Gypsum was added in order to break
the crystalline form of the bagasse ash.
Hence, in our present study, concrete cube and cylinder specimens, with and without using bagasse ash
are prepared and tested. Different percentage of bagasse ash was replaced with cement viz. 10%, 20%, 30%.
M20 M40 M60 M80
Fig 1 Comparison of Compressive Strength
M20 M60
Fig 2 Comparison of Split Tensile Strength
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IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)
e-ISSN: 2278-1684, p-ISSN: 2320-334X
PP 33-37
www.iosrjournals.org
6. CONCLUSIONS
Based on the objectives set in the present study and the experimental work carried out in the laboratory, the
following conclusions are drawn.
The burning temperature was found to be 900°c - 1100°c. There was uncontrolled burning and cooling of
SCBA. According to literature particles burnt above 750°c - 800°c will have crystalline structure
The compressive strength test results revealed that for 10%, 20% and 30% replacement of SCBA, the
variation in strength for
o M20 grade of concrete was observed to be : 11.30%, -0.94% and -24.52%
o M40 grade of concrete was observed to be : 1.58%, -55.8% and -60.8%
o M60 grade of concrete was observed to be : 6.4%, -21.1% and -55.7%
o M80 grade of concrete was observed to be : -5.95%, -16.02% and -23.95% compared to normal
concrete
The results showed that for replacement of SCBA, there is no increase in strength for M80 grade of concrete
in compression
The Split tensile strength test results revealed that for 10%, 20% and 30% replacement of SCBA, the
variation in strength for
o M20 grade of concrete was observed to be : 13.7%, 15.3% and -52%
o M60 grade of concrete was observed to be : -37.6%, -52% and -69.72% compared to normal concrete
Binding property was inadequate. As the replacement of SCBA increased, the binding of ingredients of
concrete was relatively less
As the replacement of SCBA increased the water requirement increased, this may be because of high carbon
content
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