The Optimization of Corn Stalk Ash as a Partial Replacement

of Cement for Load-Bearing Concrete Hollow Blocks

Jhon Car Matin-ao Stephanie Claire Pilande Normelyn Madja

college of engineering education
line 3: name of organization
(of Affiliation)
Davao City, Philippines
j.matinao.472114@umindanao.edu.ph
College of Engineering Education
line 3: name of organization
(of Affiliation)
Davao City, Philippines
s.pilande.473064@umindanao.edu.ph
College of Engineering Education
line 3: name of organization
(of Affiliation)
Davao City, Philippines
n.madja.446323@umindanao.edu.ph

its concrete density. The results of the concrete compressive

Abstract— 1 to 3 sentences for introduction. 1 to 2 sentences
for the objectives. 1 to 2 sentences for the methods being used. 1
to 2 sentences for the findings of the study. 1 to 2 sentences for
the conclusions.
Keywords—include 5 keywords or phrases separated in
commas
I. INTRODUCTION
Agricultural waste disposal is a serious environmental
issue. The use of agricultural wastes in the production of
cement blocks may help to reduce global environmental
pollution. This study investigates the viability of using
agricultural waste such as Corn stalk Ash as partial
replacement of cement in the production of concrete hollow
blocks. The use of agricultural waste products in cement
production is an environmentally friendly way of disposing
of large amounts of materials that would otherwise pollute
land, water, and air. Agricultural and industrial wastes with
pozzolanic properties have been studied. Furthermore,
cement is prohibitively expensive in many developing
countries, and its use cannot be sustained. The need for
affordable building materials in order to provide adequate
housing for the world's growing population has become a
major concern for researchers. The cost of traditional
building materials continues to rise as the majority of the
population remains poor.
Extensive research has been accomplished on a various
secondary raw material, such as SCBA and RHA, to measure
the impact of calcination on the pozzolanic performance of
these ashes, organized and systematic study evaluating the
influence of calcination of CSA on the pozzolanic properties
of CSA has not been carried out yet. Therefore, in this
research, the evaluation of effects of variation in temperature
and grinding duration on the pozzolanic properties of CSA is
carried out. Moreover, on the basis of the above-mentioned
literature, it can be concluded that incineration temperature
and grinding time are the key factors affecting pozzolanic
activity [1]. Optimum incineration temperature was usually
established around 500–600° C, but it was directly dependent
upon the incineration time and rate. Thus, with an increase in
incineration duration and decrease in incineration rate,
optimum temperature decreased. Furthermore, optimum
grinding time was found above 60 minutes, but it was also
dependent upon the speed of revolution and type of mill used
in grinding [2]. The addition of corn stalk ash to concrete, as
a cement replacement, it was found that the higher
percentage in concrete, the higher workability and coefficient
of compaction. On the contrary, adding corn stalk ash lowers
strength at 7 and 28 days showed that increasing the CSA
content lowers the compressive strength compared to the
normal concrete [8].
Africa produced 7% of the world’s maize and Nigeria was
the second largest producer of maize in Africa after South
Africa. However, studies have not been conducted on the
application of corn stalk ash as partial replacement for
cement in the production of interlocking paving stones.
Therefore, this paper investigated the use of CSA as a partial
replacement for ordinary Portland cement in the production
of interlocking paving stones. It includes the determination of
the oxide composition of the CSA, evaluation of the
compressive strength, density, water absorption and the
abrasive resistance of the paving stones [9]. the application
of cornstalk, harvested in Egypt, as cement replacement for
concrete mixes with an extensive experimental investigation.
In particular, the cornstalk was selected for being one of the
most environmentally hazardous materials as exhibited with
the current disposing methods in Egypt, i.e., open burning.
The importance of this study is to experimentally investigate
the influence of cornstalk ash- cement replacement on the
fresh, hardened, and durability properties of concrete which
is currently of strategic importance to the county due to wide
expansion in the construction sector. The investigation also
included the assessment of using different cement grades
while using cornstalk ash as partial cement replacement. In
this context, four different mixtures, namely, control and
three replacement ratios of 5 %, 10 %, and 15 % by weight
were designed, cast, and tested to reach the proper
replacement ratio. The three replacement ratios were selected
based on literature about the validity of using corn cob ash
with a ratio less than 15 % for blended cement production
[11].
The knowledge gap synergistic mechanism and its limited
application are dependent on the difference between the
mean value in terms of compressive strength and evaluated
properties with or without partial replacement for cement for
the fabricating of load-bearing concrete hollow blocks.
Previous studies did not specify the specific grams of
extracted silica on corn stalk ash.  Based on the preliminary
review of related literature, it was discovered that no
significant study had been conducted based on this
knowledge.
The research aimed primarily to produce load-bearing
concrete hollow blocks through optimization of the cement-
mix ratio with partial replacement of corn stalk ash. This
study will investigate the following properties for developed

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 load-bearing concrete hollow blocks with the partial
replacement of corn stalk ash in terms of moisture content,
water absorption, density, and compressive strength. This
research also aims to produce load-bearing hollow blocks
with a target of standard requirement with accordance of
ASTM C140, with an optimized ratio of the cement-mix
replacement of corn stalk ash and determine the significant
difference in the mean value of the properties compared to
the ordinary load-bearing concrete hollow blocks.
The finding of the study for optimizing the corn stalk ash
used as partial replacement to produce load-bearing concrete
hollow blocks can obtain the greatest residual of materials.
The pozzolanic reactivity extracted from the corn stalk ash
was high, which is beneficial for improving the mechanical
properties and durability of concrete hollow blocks.
CHB's strength, including the use of safe and cost-effective
materials.
C. Methods and Procedures
The researchers will collect the corn stalk in the particular
area to use as raw materials. The raw materials will be
collected, sun-dried, and reduced to ashes in furnace with the
optimum temperature of 500 °C. the yield computation was
completed, and the physical and chemical characteristics of
the corn stalk ash (CSA) were assessed using an X-ray
fluorescence analyzer (figure 1a). For this investigation, the
CSA particles that passed through a 75 μm British Standard
Sieve were employed.

This study will focus on the optimization of calcination

level for good quality extraction of silica and improving
mechanical and durability properties. The study will be
limited to parameters or results based on the optimization of
corn stalk ash in terms of moisture content, water absorption,
density, and compressive strength of load bearing concrete Figure 2. (CS 500)
hollow blocks. Moreover, the samples will be purposely
observed by referring to their record sample data from corn XRF of ash calcined at 500
stalk ash as a partial replacement. °C.XRF was performed on an
ash sample calcined at 500 °C
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS to observe its oxide
A. Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Optimized Manually made Compared

ratio of the with a parameters with
mix – replacement and without
cement/ percentage of replacement, water
sand/corn CSA for load absorption,
stalk ash bearing CHB, moisture content,
testing of load compressive
bearing CHB in strength, Density configuration. (Table 1) represented the sum of ferric
Figure 1 accordance with oxides, alumina, and silica to be 82.4 %, which satisfied the
states the ASTM standards criteria of ASTM C618.
relationship of the variable used in Table 1: Physical and chemical properties of CSA
the study to determine the incinerated at 500° C.
parameters of the optimized ratio of the mix-cement/sand
with partial replacement of corn stalk ash of 0%, 10%, 20%, The preceding discussion concludes that the ash sample
and 30%. In the accomplishment of this study, the load- calcined for 2 hours at 500 °C, i.e., CS500, exhibited the
bearing CHB will test the moisture content, water absorption, highest pozzolanic activity because the least amount of
density, and compressive strength in accordance with sunburnt carbon and high-amorphous silicon were obtained
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). at this calcination temperature.

B. Materials and Resources CSA was used in place of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) at
5, 10, 15, and 20% by 40kg weight of cement along with fine
For the investigation, the researchers will employ an
aggregates or washed sand. The procedure of mixing is
experimental design. The effectiveness of using corn stalk
manually made with 16 liters of clean water were gradually
ash as partial replacement of load-bearing concrete hollow
and cautiously added to the mix at a ratio of 1:7(Cement:
blocks will be investigated through an experimental study.
Fine Aggregates) (Table 2), slump test (as per ASTM C-143)
The researchers will use a quantitative approach to acquire
shall not exceed 10cm, were created utilizing CHB molds no.
the required data, the number of evaluation studies to be
6’’ with the size of 400x200x150 mm, and CHB’s must be
conducted for testing the materials depends on the number of
Type 1 Class A unit for conforming with ASTM C90. The
samples to be tested. Investigating the research's findings
outside surfaces of the specimens were cleaned, and they had
could pave the way for the improvement of our load-bearing
been cast and compacted properly. The CHBs should be
 covered once they have been removed from the mold. To
effectively cure, cover with a plastic sheet for at least 7 days
with maintaining the initial curing between 16 and 27°C [60
and 80°F] as per ASTM C31/C31M – 19. This can be
achieved by continually spraying them with water to lead to
less cracking and a stronger, harder, denser, and more
durable concrete. Store CHBs for at least 14 days after curing
before using them or performing testing on each specimen.
Table 2. Mix and Ratio of Corn Stalk Ash as a partial
replacement of Cement for load-bearing CHB.
Fine Water
Replacement CSA Cement aggregates/sand
(L)
(%) (kg) (Kg)
(kg)
0% - 40 280 16
5% 2 38 280 16
10% 4 36 280 16
15% 6 34 280 16
20% 8 32 280 16
TESTING
Weighing samples of CSA load-bearing hollow blocks
after 14 days of storing will used to measure water
absorption. In procedures of ASTM C140-8.3.1 is applied,
first is immerse the test specimens in water at a temperature
of 60 to 80°F [15 to 27°C] for 24 to 28 h such that the top
surfaces of the specimens are at least 6 in. [150 mm] below
the surface of the water. Specimens shall be separated from
each other and from the bottom of the immersion tank by at
least 0.125 in. [3 mm], using wire mesh, grating, or other
spacers. The spacer shall not cover more than 10 % of the
area of the face that is in direct contact with the spacer.
Subsequently, ASTM C140-8.3.2 specifies to dry all
specimens in ventilated oven at 212 to 239°F (100 to 115°C)
for not less than 24 hours. until two successive weighing at
intervals of 2 h show an increment of loss not greater than
0.2 % of the last previously determined weight of the
specimen.
Absorption - Calculate absorption as follows:
Water Absorption, kg/m3 = [(Ws - Wd)/ (Ws – Wi)] × 1000
Absorption % = [(Ws-Wd)/ Wd] x 100
Where:
Ws = Saturated weight of the specimen, lb (Kg)
Wi = Immersed weight of the specimen, lb (kg)
Wd = Oven-dry weight of the specimen, lb (kg)
Moisture Content - Calculate the moisture content of the unit
at the time it is sampled (when Wr is measured) as follows:
Moisture Content, % = [(Wr – Wd)/ (Ws – Wd)] x 100
where:
Wr = received weight of unit, lb [kg]
Wd = oven-dry weight of unit, lb [kg]
Ws = saturated weight of unit, lb [kg].
Density—Calculate oven-dry density as follows:
Density, kg/m3 = [Wd / (Ws – Wi)] x 1000
where:
Wd = oven-dry weight of specimen, lb [kg]
Ws = saturated weight of specimen, lb [kg]
Wi = immersed weight of specimen, lb [kg]
According to ASTM C140, full sized specimens shall be
used for compressive strength testing. For compressive
testing units with unusual size and shape, any face shell
projection shall be removed by saw cutting. The resulting
segment must be a cell or cells which contain for sides
ensuring a 100% bearing surface. The Universal Testing
Machine (UTM) shall conform to ASTM E74 standards:
Practice calibration of Force-Measuring Instruments for
verifying the force indication of Testing Machine.
Compressive Strength calculation of specimen is presented
below as per ASTM C140.
Compressive strength, psi (Mpa) = Pmax / An
Where:
Pmax = Maximum compressive load, lb (N)
An = Average net area of Specimen, in2 or mm2
The testing of specimens will be conducted by evaluating the
average compressive strength of the load-bearing concrete
hollow blocks from each producer based on the standards.
The standards will be based on the Philippines standards by
the ASTM for load-bearing concrete hollow blocks, which
are presented in Table 3.
Minimum Average
Concrete Masonry units Compressive Strength
(MPa)
Load bearing Concrete
Hollow Blocks 5.6
(Size No.6)
Table 3. Minimum Compressive Strength according to
ASTM
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
A. Discussion of Result for Objective 1 [Choose or
insert appropriate subtitle]
Discuss the results and findings of objective 1 through
tables or figures or statistical analysis of data or narrative
statements. Strictly follow the IEEE guidelines on how to
present tables or figures.
B. Discussion of Result for Objective 2 [Choose or
insert appropriate subtitle]
 Discuss the results and findings of objective 2 through [11] S. Salem, Y. Hamdy, E. Abdelraouf and M. Shazly, "Towards
sustainable concrete: cement replacement using Egyptian cornstalk
tables or figures or statistical analysis of data. Strictly follow ash," Case Studies in Construction Materials, 2022.
the IEEE guidelines on how to present tables or figures.
C. Discussion of Result for Objective 3 [Choose or
insert appropriate subtitle]
Discuss the results and findings of objective 3 through
tables or figures or statistical analysis of data. Strictly follow
the IEEE guidelines on how to present tables or figures.

Note: You may add more subtitles depending on the

discussions you want to present. You may use the format
shown above or you may discuss the results per objective per
paragraph arranged accordingly. Delete this part when
submitting final paper.

IV. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORKS

1st paragraph for conclusions.

2nd paragraph for future works or recommendations.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This part is optional. If you wish to acknowledge those
who helped you in your study, keep this section short only, at
most 1 paragraph will do.

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[2] S. Ali, S. Khan, I. Wahid, Y. Shestakova and M. Ashraf, "Evaluating
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[3] J. Adebisi, J. Agunsoye, S. Bello, F. Kolawole, M. Ramakokovhu, M.
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[7] Adesanya, D.A., Raheem, A.A.: A study of the workability and
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[8] [8] Y. Hamdy, M. Elshazly, S. Salem and A. Elsaid, "The Impact of
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[9] A. Raheem, S. Adedokun, E. Adeyinka and B. Adewole, "Application
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[10] I. Baguhin and R. Cabahug, "Investigation on Load- Bearing
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