CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presents the different literature and studies, which have any

connection in the strength rendition of blended cement concrete of banana fiber ash with

the reinforcement of bamboo leaf ash.

(P. Asha et. al 2014) on their paper Experimental Study on Concrete with Bamboo

Leaf Ash states that the use of waste materials with pozzolanic properties in concrete

production is a becoming a worldwide practice. The assessment of the pozzolanic activity

of cement replacement materials is becoming increasingly important because of the need

for more sustainable cementing products. In this paper, bamboo leaf ash is used as partial

replacement for cement in ranges of 5%, 10%, 15%. Strength and durability tests were

carried out to assess the feasibility of using bamboo leaf ash as partial replacement of

cement in concrete. From the experimental investigation on concrete with bamboo leaf

ash the following conclusions are drawn: 1.The compressive strength of concrete

decreases with increase in percent of bamboo leaf ash. Though BLA contains SiO 2

which is required for pozzolanic reaction, the reason for reduced compressive strength

was incomplete hydration at the age of 28days. 2. From durability point of view, acid

resistance and chloride resistance improves considerably at 10% replacement of cement

with bamboo leaf ash. Hence concrete with bamboo leaf ash shall be used for civil

engineering works where high strength is not major requirement but where durability is a

major concern.

(G. Dhinakaran and GangavaHariChandana, 2016) states that the substitution of

Bamboo Leaf Ash (BLA) as a cement substitute is an upcoming research topic. The

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objective of this paper is to study the feasibility of calcined bamboo leaf ash as a partial

substitute to cement and its effect on compressive strength, pozzolanic activity, sorptivity

and porosity characteristics in hardened concrete. Cement was replaced with BLA with a

percentage of 10% to 30% with a uniform increment of 5%. Fallen dry bamboo leaves

burnt in open atmosphere were heated in a muffle furnace for 4 hours at 500°C to induce

pozzolanic activity. The grade of concrete was taken in such a way that it will give a

characteristic compressive strength of 20 MPa. The chemical composition of BLA was

obtained by XRF analysis. The nature of BLA was assessed by XRD analysis and found

to have an amorphous structure. The pozzolanic activity was ensured by ASTM lime test

(ASTM C311 and ASTM C109). Other durability characteristics, like sorptivity and

porosity, were performed as per ASTM guidelines (ASTM C1545 and ASTM C127) to

assess the resistance of BLA concrete against sorption and the volume of voids. From the

experiments conducted, it was understood that cement could be replaced with BLA till

15% with a little compromise in strength and durability characteristics and that this

replacement was found to be an optimum one. From the experimental investigation

conducted on BLA concrete for its chemical composition, XRD analysis, pozzolanic

activity index, compressive strength, sorption and porosity measurements, the following

conclusions are drawn: XRF and XRD analysis of bamboo leaf ash has clearly proved its

feasibility as a possible mineral admixture for cement due to its chemical composition

and its amorphous nature. Pozzolanic activity index of 20% BLA was found to be more

than 80% of that of the control mixture. It is concluded that BLA can be used as a

pozzolan to replace cement in concrete.

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 Pozzolans have been discovered recently to be of various benefits to the

construction industries and various researches are on the high gear to further discover,

proof and established their suitability as substitute to cement (Ikumapayi, Catherine

Mayowa, 2016). This research work has therefore work on the effectiveness of bamboo

leaf ash (BLA) and locust beans pod ash (LPBA) as pozzolans with reference to crystal

and microstructure of its hydrated paste. Ordinary Portland cement was partially replaced

with BLA and LPBA at different percentages, concrete pastes were made and cured at 7

and 28 days for the tests. The research work has been carried out using compressive

strength test, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, X-ray diffraction analysis as well as

scanning electron microscopy to discover, present and analyze the quality and quantity of

composition and hydration behavior of the different paste. The tests established BLA and

LBPA as capable of successfully replacing cement in concrete production with added

advantages in the properties of such concrete in term of mineral composition and

microstructure interlocking.

Ademola S.A 1 , Buari T.A, (2014 ) this paper presents the characteristic strength

behavior of Bamboo Leaf Ash (BLA) blended cement concrete in sulphate environment.

A total of 66 concrete cubes of 150mm x 150mm x 150mm were produced with OPC-

BLA blended cement, the partial replacement of OPC by BLA was varied from 0% to

15% in the concrete. The specimens were tested and crushed to obtain their compressive

strengths at age 21, and 28 days of curing in different media (Na2SO4, CaSO4a and

MgSO4 at 0.5%, 1.5% and 2.5% concentration). The choice of the percentage

concentration of chemicals used as curing media was based on a similar research carried

out by (Adenola and Buari, 2014). The 28 days strengths obtained for 5%, 10% and 15%

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replacement of BLA increases when compared with the results obtained at 21 days. The

results also increased as the concentration of the sulphate increases, it shows that very

high concrete strength values could be obtained with OPC-BLA blended cement concrete

when high control measures are applied and at longer days of hydration and in sulphate

environment. Therefore, OPC/BLA blended cement concrete could be used in civil

engineering and building works in sulphate environment and where early strength is not a

major requirement, thereby reducing the cost of production. The Bamboo leaf Ash

blended cement concrete haven proven resistance to magnesium sulphate, sodium

sulphate and calcium sulphate media and would perform better in soils containing these

media. OPC has the higher specific gravity than that of BLA, and this is responsible for

the decrease in slump value obtained as the percentage of BLA replacement increases.

The compressive strength value of the BLA/OPC blended concrete up to 10%

replacement level performed better and would be acceptable and considered as a good

development for construction of masonry walls and other construction activities in any

sulphate environment.

N B Singh et.al (2007) said that, bamboo leaf ash (BLA) obtained at 600C was

found to be pozzolanic material. The pozzolanic activity was studied by using chemical

methods, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron

microscopic techniques. Hydration behaviour of 20 % weight BLA belended ordinary

Portland cement (OPC) was studied by using different experimental techniques and it was

found that at 28 days of hydration the compressive strength value for 20 wt% BLA

blended cement mortar was quite comparable to that of mortar made from OPC. The

mechanism of pozzolanic activity has been discussed. The results show that the BLA is a

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pozzolanic material, which reacts with calcium hydroxide forming calcium silicate

hydrate. The pozzolanic activity of BLA increase with increase of time and temperature.

When 20 wt% BLA was mixed with OPC the hydration properties where quite similar to

that OPC. The compressive strength values of the mortar at 28 days of hydration were

found to be quite comparable. Before BLA is recommended as a blending component ,

further experiments under different conditions are needed.

(Naomi Jyothsna R et.al.,2016) stated that the use of bamboo stick ash as a partial

replacement for cement in the concrete, the compressive strength of concrete is found to

be increased at 5%. The split tensile strength of concrete was also found to be increased

at 5% for the partial replacement of bamboo stick ash. The use of bamboo leaf ash as a

partial replacement for cement in the concrete, the compressive strength of concrete is

found to be increased at 10%. The split tensile strength of concrete was also found to be

increased at 10% for the partial replacement of bamboo leaf ash. Hence the use of

bamboo leaf ash as a supplementary for cement gives a good result. Concrete is being

widely used in all infrastructures and its material is mainly very expensive for the

construction. The Bamboo sticks are unutilized in the concrete work and hence their

usage may help to decrease the cost of construction. The use of waste materials in

concrete production is becoming worldwide practice. The assessment of the activity of

cement materials is becoming increasingly important because of the need for more

sustainable cementing product. The early work has been carried out with partial

replacement of Bamboo leaf ash with cement in order to increase the tensile strength of

concrete and compressive strength has been decreased. Now we are using partial

replacement of stick ash with cement in order to increase the compressive strength of

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concrete. The use of Bamboo stick and leaf ash with the partial replacement of cement is

used in the concrete in order to know the compressive strength and tensile strength.

Compressive strength of 28 days curing with partial replacement of BSA to cement gives

25 N /mm 2 at 5% of ash replacement and it is observed that 20% of strength is decreased

than conventional concrete. Compressive strength of 28 days curing with partial

replacement of BLA to cement gives 26.20 N /mm 2 at 10% of ash replacement and it is

observed that 17% of strength is decreased than conventional concrete. Tensile strength

of 28 days curing with partial replacement of BSA to cement gives 2.65 N/mm2 at 5%

ash replacement and it is observed that 44% of strength is decreased than conventional

concrete. Tensile strength of 28 days curing with partial replacement of BSA to cement

gives 2.65 N/mm2 at 10% ash replacement and it is observed that 44% of strength is

decreased than conventional concrete. The partial replacement is done with the following

percentages of 0, 5, 10, 15 with Bamboo stick and leaf ash separately. Thus, from the

results obtained, it can be concluded that use of BLA as a supplimentory for cement gives

good result.

(Ernesto Villar-Cociña et. al (2011) posited that a characterization and study of

the pozzolanic behavior between calcium hydroxide (CH) and bamboo leaf ash (BLAsh),

which was obtained by calcining bamboo leaves at 600 ?C for 2 h in alaboratory electric

furnace. To evaluate the pozzolanic behavior the conductometric method was used,which

is based on the measurement of the electrical conductivity in a BLAsh/CH solution with

the reaction time. Later, the kinetic parameters are quantified by applying a kinetic-

diffusive model. The kinetic parameters that characterize the process (in particular, the

reaction rate constant and free energy of activation) were determined with relative

14
accuracy in the fitting process of the model. The pozzolanic activity is quantitatively

evaluated according to the values obtained of the kinetic parameters. Otherexperimental

techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM),

were also employed. The results show that this kind of ash is formed by silica with a

completely amorphous nature and a high pozzolanic activity. The correlation between the

values of free energy of activation (D G #) and thereaction rate constants (K) are in

correspondence with the theoretical studies about the rate processesreported in the

literature. From the results obtained in this paper, the following conclusions can be

raised: 1. Chemical composition by XRF shows that bamboo ash basically is formed by

silica in concentrations of about 80%. The rest of the oxides are present in low

concentrations. 2. The controlled calcining of bamboo leaves at 600?C for 2 h represents

suitable conditions to get a totally amorphous material. 3. The pozzolanic activity of ash

characterized by means of the electric conductivity method shows a high activity at early

ages. 4. The kinetic-diffusive model used in the present paper allows describing the

pozzolanic reaction kinetics in the CH/BLAsh system by previously determining the

kinetics coefficient (reaction rate constants and free energy of activation). The reaction

rate constants jointly with the free energy of activation give a precise index of the

reactivity or pozzolanic activity of the materials under analysis. 5. The values of the

reaction rate constant and free energy of activation, obtained in the fitting process of the

kinetic-diffusive model state that the bamboo leaf ash calcined at 600 ?C has high

pozzolanic reactivity. 6. Future studies include the analysis of the influence of the

calcining temperature on the pozzolanic activity of these agricultural wastes. Also,

environmental durability and strength of the resulting mortars remain to be assessed.

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 The use of BLA in concrete had enhanced the mechanical properties of concrete.

(Umoh and Ujene, 2014) At the standard age of 28 days, the compressive strength

attainment of the blended cement concrete over the reference range from 64.96% for 20%

BLA content to 90.06% for 5% BLA content; and that beyond 10% BLA content, the

percentage performance over reference were less than 75%, an indication that 10% BLA

content is the optimal replacement level for the production of medium grade concrete.

The tensile splitting strength of BLA blended cement concrete, especially at 14 days

hydration and above, all the mixtures met over75% of the reference tensile splitting

strength, an indication that BLA replacing cement up to 20% can improve the

serviceability requirement of concrete structures than that of reference structures. There is

a strong linear relationship between compressive strength and tensile splitting strength

with a correlation equation of Y = 0.102x + 0.783 and a correlation coefficient R 2 of

0.790. The BLA blended cement concrete recorded less water absorption particularly

with 10% BLA content than the reference, revealing that an incorporation of BLA causes

reduction in the voids thereby leading to impermeable pores formation. Based on these

conclusions, it is therefore recommended that 10% BLA content is suitable for the

production of medium grade concrete. The use of fly ash and other industrial-based

wastes as pozzolans in the cement industry is widely acceptable in the production of

blended cements. However, to-date, there is limited information about the use of

agricultural wastes in the building construction industry is little known in view of their

availability. This study focuses on experimental investigation on the use of Bamboo Leaf

Ash (BLA) as cement substitute in concrete. Concrete cubes with dimensions of 100 mm

x 100 mm were cast from a mix ratio of 1:2:4 by weight as the reference. The cement

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constitute was replaced with percentages of bamboo leaf ash in the range of 5-20% by

weight. All mixtures were maintained at water-cementitious ratio based on slump value

of 10-30mm. Properties investigated were compressive strength, tensile splitting strength

and water absorption up to 90 days hydration. The results indicated that compressive

strength of BLA blended cement concrete ranges from 11.75 N/mm 2 at 7 days for 20%

BLA content to 30.12 N/mm 2 at 90 days for 0% BLA content, and that 10% BLA

content attained up to 75% of the reference value at the standard age of 28 days. The

percentage performance of tensile splitting strength value over the reference for all the

blended specimens for all curing ages were over 75%, and had a strong correlation

coefficient of 0.790 with the compressive strength; while the water absorption of blended

cement specimens generally has less water absorption than the reference. The least water

absorption value was recorded with the specimens containing 10% BLA. Therefore 10%

BLA content is recommended as the optimal percentage suitable for medium grade

concrete.

(Ikumapayi C. M., 2016) Pozzolans have been discovered recently to be of

various benefits to the construction industries and various researches are on the high gear

to further discover, proof and established their suitability as substitute to cement. This

research work has therefore work on the effectiveness of bamboo leaf ash (BLA) and

locust beans pod ash (LPBA) as pozzolans with reference to crystal and microstructure of

its hydrated paste. Ordinary Portland cement was partially replaced with BLA and LPBA

at different percentages, concrete pastes were made and cured at 7 and 28 days for the

tests. The research work has been carried out using compressive strength test, X-ray

fluorescence spectrometer, X-ray diffraction analysis as well as scanning electron

17
microscopy to discover, present and analyze the quality and quantity of composition and

hydration behavior of the different paste. The tests established BLA and LBPA as

capable of successfully replacing cement in concrete production with added advantages

in the properties of such concrete in term of mineral composition and microstructure

interlocking.

STANDARD PROPERTIES FOR CEMENT

Table 2.1

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