Effective Use Bagasse Ash of Omo-Kuraz Sugar Factory as a Sustainable Partial Substitute of Cement in Concrete for Constructions in Ethiopia

Abstract

This study deals with the recycling of sugar cane bagasse ash of the Omo-Kuraz sugar factory of Ethiopia as a substitute of cement in concrete that provides appropriate remedy to waste disposal and greenhouse gas emission related environmental challenges. The influence of bagasse ash as a cementing material in concrete was examined by performing several strength and durability experiments. From a strength perspective, compressive and splitting tensile strength were tested. As part of durability properties, carbonation and chloride penetrability of bagasse ash concrete was studied. Bagasse ash-based concrete mixes were made with varying cement replacements (10% - 40%) and were tested at various curing periods. As per the strength and durability test results, bagasse ash can be utilized as a cementing material in concrete with 10% cement replacement as the optimum quantity. The durability test results revealed bagasse ash doesn’t have adverse effects from carbonation and chloride penetrability perspective on concrete. This indicates that the Ethiopian construction industry can consider bagasse ash as non-conventional cementing material.

Keywords: Bagasse Ash, Compressive Strength, Sorptivity, Tensile Strength, Workability, Ethiopian Construction Industry