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Influence of Bagasse Ash Replacement on Strength Properties of Cement

Mortar

Article in International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology · May 2019

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 10, Issue 05, May 2019, pp. 954-962, Article ID: IJCIET_10_05_095
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=5
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
© IAEME Publication

INFLUENCE OF BAGASSE ASH

REPLACEMENT ON STRENGTH PROPERTIES
OF CEMENT MORTAR
Lakshmi P.S
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,
P.E.S College of Engineering Mandya, Karnataka, India.

Dr. B.S. Jayashankar Babu

Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,
P.E.S College of Engineering Mandya, Karnataka, India.

Dr. N.C. Balaji

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,
NIE Mysore, Karnataka, India.

Chaithra G.B
Post Graduate Student, Department of Civil Engineering,
P.E.S College of Engineering Mandya, Karnataka, India.

ABSTRACT
Sugar cane bagasse ash (SCBA) is generated as a combustion by-product from the
boilers of sugar factories. This work deals with assessing the feasibility of using Sugar
cane bagasse ash (SCBA) as a partial replacement for cement in mortar.
Characterization of SCBA (SEM and chemical composition) demonstrated the high
pozzolanic nature of SCBA. Masonry mortar of grade MM3 was considered for trial
mix. The cement was partially replaced with 10%, 15% and 20% of the SCBA. The
fresh properties of mortar mixes were assessed by conducting flow table test. It was
observed that, flow values decrease with increase in percentage of replacement of
cement by SCBA. The impact of bagasse ash content as a partial replacement of
cement has been investigated on physical and mechanical properties of hardened
mortar including compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength. For
the compressive strength three sizes of cubes and 150x300 mm cylinder were used.
The split tensile strength was determined using the cylindrical specimen of size
150x300mm and the flexural strength of mortar was determined using the specimen of
size 40x40x160 mm. Mortar mix of MM3 grade with compressive strength between 3
and 5 MPa were produced.
Key words: Mortar, SCBA, Compressive strength, flexural strength, Split tensile
strength.

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 Influence of Bagasse Ash Replacement on Strength Properties of Cement Mortar

Cite this Article: Lakshmi P.S, Dr. B.S. Jayashankar Babu, Dr. N.C. Balaji,
Chaithra G.B, Influence of Bagasse Ash Replacement on Strength Properties of
Cement Mortar, International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology 10(5),
2019, pp. 954-962.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=5

1. INTRODUCTION
The cement production involves the utilization of large quantities of raw materials, energy
and heat. The production of cement also results in the release of large amount of solid waste
materials and gaseous emissions. About 5–7% of the total CO2 emissions is because of this
industrial sector [1]. In the recent years, there is a growth in the global warming awareness
and a lot of concern is taken to reduce the carbon emissions as it is leading to global climate
change. In order to overcome all these issues caused by cement production it is essential to
develop a sustainable system loop which can turn resources which are landfilled as waste
materials into useful products.
Sugarcane is one of the major crops grown worldwide. The economical sugar from the
sugarcane is extracted. About 40-45% fibrous residue is obtained after the extraction of the
sugar. This fibrous residue known as sugarcane bagasse is reused in the same industry as fuel
in the boilers for heat generation leaving behind 8 -10 % ash as waste, known as sugarcane
bagasse ash (SCBA) [2].
Sugar cane bagasse ash (SCBA) is one of the main industrial wastes generated throughout
the world and can be used as fly ash mainly due to its high silica content [3]. Mandya is one
of the major sugar cane producing district in Karnataka. A large quantity of bagasse ash is
generated in these factories and it poses the disposal problems and this industrial waste is
used as a cement replacement material in this work. The Sugar cane bagasse ash is procured
from the NSL Sugars Limited which is located at Koppa village, Maddur Taluk, Mandya
District, Karnataka. In the present work the cement is replaced by SCBA at 10%, 15% and
20%. The mortar proportion of 1:6 (cement: sand) ratio and the flow percentage of 80% is
used throughout the work. The main objective of the work is to evaluate SCBA as cement
replacement material and to determine the compressive strength of mortar. Also the split
tensile strength and flexural strength of mortar is determined. In the first phase, various tests
are conducted to determine the pozzolonic activity of bagasse ash and in the second phase the
cubes and cylinders are casted to determine the hardened properties of mortar

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Materials used
2.1.1 Cement: In the present work, Deccan Grade 53 Ordinary Portland Cement is used
2.1.2 Fine Aggregates: Locally available M Sand is used as fine aggregate. In the present
study the sand confirms to Zone II as per Indian standards. The specific gravity of sand is
2.62 and the bulk density of the sand used is 1630 kg/m3.
2.1.3 Water: Water available in the college campus conforming to the requirements of water
for casting and curing as per IS: 456-2009.
2.1.4 Sugar cane bagasse ash: Sugarcane Bagasse as collected from the factory is dried for
2-3 days so that there is no moisture content in it and sieving is done in order to reduce the
particle size for using it as a cement replacement material. The sample passing through 150
µm sieve is used throughout the work. Table 1 shows the physical properties of the sugarcane
bagasse ash and Table 2 shows the chemical properties of the sugarcane bagasse ash as per
the test report given by the ISO certified laboratory.

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 Lakshmi P.S, Dr. B.S. Jayashankar Babu, Dr. N.C. Balaji, Chaithra G.B

Table 1 Physical Properties of Sugar cane bagasse ash

SI. No. Particulars Results

1 Specific gravity 1.971

2 Fineness
2.516 %
3 Colour Black colour

4 Particle Shape Powder form

Table 2 Chemical Properties of Sugar cane bagasse ash

SI. No. Particulars Results

1 LOI 13.10 %

2 Silicon as SiO2
76.32 %
3 Aluminium as Al2O3 0.2 %

4 Iron as Fe2O3 4.02 %

5 Calcium as CaO 3.68 %

NOTE: As per IS: 3812(part1)-2013 specifications the combined chemical composition of

SiO2+Al2O3+Fe2O3 should be greater than 70% which satisfies the pozzolanic nature of
SCBA.

2.2. Methodology
At the first phase tests like Loss on ignition (LOI), Conductometric method and flow table test
are conducted. The Loss on ignition test (LOI) is conducted as per IS: 1727-1967 to determine
the amount of organic matter in SCBA. The electrical conductivity value is measured for
evaluating pozzolanic activity of SCBA as per Luxan et.al. The flow table test (as per IS:
4031(Part7)-1988) is conducted to determine the water-cement ratio for the 80% flow value of
the mortar. The cement is replaced by SCBA at 10%, 15% and 20%. For each replacement the
flow table test is conducted to determine the water-cement ratio and this water-cement ratio is
used for casting the specimens. In the second phase the cubes given in table-3 are casted to
determine the compressive strength of mortar. The cylinder of size 150x300 mm are casted to
determine the compressive strength and split tensile strength of mortar. The flexural strength
of mortar is determined by casting the 40x40x160 mm prism moulds. The compressive
strength, split tensile strength and flexural test are determined at the age of 7 and 28 days.

Table 3 Details of the samples casted

Sl.no Type of sample mould Type of test Size (mm)
1. Cube Compressive strength 50x50x50 mm
70.6x70.6x70.6 mm
150x150x150 mm
2. Cylinder Compressive strength and 150x300 mm
Split tensile strength
3. Prism mould Flexural strength test 40x40x160 mm

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 Influence of Bagasse Ash Replacement on Strength Properties of Cement Mortar

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

3.1. Test to determine pozzolonic activity of bagasse ash
3.1.1. Loss on ignition test

Table 4 LOI values for the bagasse ash sample

Sl.no Sample type W1 W2 W3 LOI value

(gm) (gm) (gm) (In %)
1. Raw sample 35 50 47 20
2. Sample sieved through 34 49 47 13.33
300 micron
3. Sample sieved through 35 60 58 8
150 micron
2. Sample sieved through 90 35 50 49 6.66
micron
3. Sample sieved through 75 35 65 63 6.66
micron
3.1.2. Conductometric method
Calculations:
 Sample taken= 5 grms
 Calcium hydroxide solution taken=200 ml
 Initial conductivity value=4.35 mS
 Final conductivity value ( after 2 mins)= 3.90 mS
The Δσ2 min value is greater than 0.4 hence the bagasse ash exhibits variable
pozzolonicity.
3.1.3. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM Analysis)
The structure of the bagasse ash particles was examined by scanning electron microscopy
(SEM). The micrographs in Fig 1-3 provide a descriptive qualitative analysis of the phases
observed in bagasse ash. In the bagasse ash (150 µm size), the particles were found to exhibit
a variety of shapes: prismatic, spherical, irregular, and fibrous. Particles with irregular shape
were observed in the microstructure at higher magnifications. These irregular particles are
silica rich.

Figure 1 Round shaped particles observed in the bagasse ash

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 Lakshmi P.S, Dr. B.S. Jayashankar Babu, Dr. N.C. Balaji, Chaithra G.B

Figure 2 Irregular and fibrous shaped particles observed in the bagasse ash

Figure 3 Prismatic shaped particles observed in the bagasse ash

Spherical particles are formed because of melting at high temperature. These spherical
particles were found to contain oxides of Mg, P, and K. Prismatic particles had well defined
structures and were rich in Si, as shown in Fig-3. Spherical particles are shown in Fig 1.

3.2. Fresh property of mortar

The fresh property of mortar is determined using the flow table test. Table-5 shows water-
cement ratio required for the conventional mortar and the mortar prepared by replacing the
cement by bagasse ash at various percentages. The water- cement ratio is calculated for a flow
percentage of 80%.

Table 5 Results of the flow table test

Sl.No Percentage of bagasse Water-cement
ash replacement ratio
1. 0% 1.42
2. 10% 1.69
3. 15% 1.77
4. 20% 1.80

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 Influence of Bagasse Ash Replacement on Strength Properties of Cement Mortar

3.3. Hardened properties of mortar

3.3.1. Compressive strength of cubes and cylinders at 7 days and 28 days
Table 7.2 and Table 7.3 shows the results of the compression strength test of cubic specimens
at 7 days and 28 days respectively. The compressive strength of cylinder is shown by Table
7.4.
Table 6: Compressive strength of cubes at 7 days (in MPa)
Bagasse ash replacement
Sl.No Cube size 0% 10% 15% 20%
1. 50x50x50 mm 4.666 4.133 4.133 3.466
2. 70.6x70.6x70.6 mm 4.547 3.945 3.878 3.343
3. 150x150x150 mm 4.458 3.762 3.540 3.214

Table 7: Compressive strength of cubes at 28 days (in MPa)

Bagasse ash replacement
Sl.No Cube size 0% 10% 15% 20%
1. 50x50x50 mm 6 5.466 5.066 4.133
2. 70.6x70.6x70.6 mm 5.951 5.349 4.948 3.544
3. 150x150x150 mm 5.762 5.214 4.651 3.481

7 6
Compressive Strength in Mpa

6 5.466
5.066
4.666
5 4.133 4.133 4.133
4 3.466

3
2
1
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Percentage of Bagasse ash

7 days 28 days

Figure 4: Compressive strength of 50x50x50 mm moulds at 7 days and 28 days

7
5.951
Compressive Strength in Mpa

6 5.349
4.948
54.547
3.945 3.878
4 3.544
3.343
3
2
1
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Percentage of Bagasse ash

7 days 28 days

Figure 5: Compressive strength of 70.6x70.6x70.6 mm mould at 7 days and 28 days

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 Lakshmi P.S, Dr. B.S. Jayashankar Babu, Dr. N.C. Balaji, Chaithra G.B

Compressive Strength in Mpa

5.762
6 5.214
4.651
54.458
3.762 3.54
4 3.481
3.214
3
2
1
0
0 5 10 15 20 25

Percentage of Bagasse ash 7 days 28 days

Figure 6: Compressive strength of 150x150x150 mm moulds at 7 days and 28 days

The compressive strength of cylinder is shown by Table-7 and Table-8 shows the split
tensile strength of the cylinder.

Table 8: Compressive strength of cylinders at 7 days and 28 days

Compression strength
Sl.No Percentage of (in MPa)
replacement 7 days 28 days
1. 0% 3.942 5.526
2. 10% 3.413 4.828
3. 15% 3.319 4.451
4. 20% 3.036 3.319

Table 9: Split tensile strength of cylinders at 7 days and 28 days

Split tensile strength

Sl.No Percentage of (in MPa)
replacement 7 days 28 days
1. 0% 0.758 0.867
2. 10% 0.725 0.810
3. 15% 0.716 0.773
4. 20% 0.640 0.730

65.526
4.828
Comoressive strength in MPa

5 4.451
3.942
4 3.413 3.319 3.319
3.036
3
2
1
0
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
Percentage of replacement

7 Days 28 Days

Figure 7 Compression strength test 7 days and 28 days

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 Influence of Bagasse Ash Replacement on Strength Properties of Cement Mortar

0.90.867
0.81

Split tensile strength in MPa

0.773
0.80.758 0.725 0.73
0.716
0.7 0.64

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
Percentage of replacement

7 Days 28 Days

Figure 8: Split tensile strength at 7 days and 28 days

Table 10: Flexural strength of prism mould at 7 days and 28 days

Flexural strength
Sl.No Percentage of (in MPa)
replacement 7 days 28 days
1. 0% 1.530 2.731
2. 10% 1.244 2.090
3. 15% 1.166 1.997
4. 20% 1.073 1.549

32.781
Flexural strength in MPa

2.5 2.09 1.997

21.53 1.549
1.5 1.244 1.166 1.073
1
0.5
0
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
Percentage of replacement

7 Days 28 Days

Figure 9 Flexural strength at 7 days and 28 days

4. CONCLUSIONS
From the present study it can be concluded that, elemental composition of bagasse ash is
similar to that of a pozzolonic material and it can be used to replace the cement. This
conclusion is drawn from the LOI test and chemical tests performed on the bagasse ash. Also
it can be concluded that up to 20% replacement the minimum compressive strength required
for the MM3 grade mortar mix as per the IS code 2250 and IS code 1905 is achieved. Above
20% replacement the strength required for MM3 grade mortar cannot be achieved but one can
produce the minimum mortar grade of MM0.7 with higher replacements. The cylindrical

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 Lakshmi P.S, Dr. B.S. Jayashankar Babu, Dr. N.C. Balaji, Chaithra G.B

specimen (150x300mm) has a compressive strength lower than the cube compressive
strength. There is no specific IS code stating the minimum flexural and tensile strength
required for the mortar. The flexural and split tensile strength of the specimen decreases as the
percentage of replacement by the bagasse ash increases.

REFERENCES
[1] Ing. Miroslav Stajanča, doc. RNDr. Adriana Eštoková, “Environmental impacts of cement
production”.
[2] Prashant O Modania, M R Vyawahareb, “Utilization of Bagasse Ash as a Partial
Replacement of Fine Aggregate in Concrete” Procedia Engineering 51(2013 ) 25 – 29
1877.
[3] G.C. Cordeiro, R.D. Toledo Filho, L.M. Tavares, E.M.R. Fairbairn, “Pozzolanic activity
and filler effect of sugar cane bagasse ash in Portland cement and lime mortars” Cement
& Concrete Composites 30 (2008) 410–418.
[4] Jayminkumar A. Patel, Dr. D. B. Raijiwala, “Experimental Study on Use of Sugar Cane
Bagasse Ash in Concrete by Partially Replacement with Cement”, IJIRSET Vol. 4, Issue
4, April 2015.
[5] Vinod Goud, Niraj Soni (Oct. 2016) A study on Partial Replacement of Cement with Fly
Ash In Concrete And Its Effect, IOSR Journal of Engineering (IOSRJEN), ISSN (e): 2250-
3021, ISSN (p): 2278-8719, Vol. 06, Issue 10, ||V2|| PP 69-75.
[6] Sirirat Janjaturaphan and Supaporn Wansom, “Pozzolanic activity of industrial sugar cane
bagasse ash” Suranaree J. Sci. Technol. 17(4):349-357.
[7] M. N. N. Khan, M. Jamil, M. R. Karim,M.FM. Zain, “Filler Effect of Pozzolanic
Materials on the Strength and Microstructure Development of Mortar” SCE Journal of
Civil Engineering (0000) 00(0):1-11.
[8] M.P. Luxan et.al “Rapid evaluation of pozzolanic activity of natural products by
conductivity measurement”. Cement and concrete research. vol. 19, pp. 63-68, 1989.
Copyright (c) 1989 pergamon press plc
[9] IS 1727 (1967): “Methods of test for pozzolanic materials”.
[10] IS 4031-7 (1988): “Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 7: Determination
of compressive strength of masonry cement”.
[11] IS 2250 (1981): “Code of Practice for Preparation and Use of Masonry Mortars”

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