Short-term analysis on the combined use of sugarcane bagasse ash and rice husk ash as supplementary cementitious material in concrete production

Globally, concrete is widely implemented as a construction material and is progressively being utilized because of growth in urbanization. However, limited resources and gradual depravity of the environment are forcing the research community to obtain alternative materials from large amounts of agro-industrial wastes as a partial replacement for ordinary cement. Cement is a main binding resource in concrete production. To reduce environmental problems associated with waste, this study considered the recycling of agro-industrial wastes, such as sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA), rice husk ash (RHA), and others, into cement, and to finally bring sustainable and environmental-friendly concrete. This study considered 5%, 10%, and 15% of SBCA and RHA individually to replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC) by weight method then combined both ashes as 10%, 20%, and 30% to replace OPC to produce sustainable concrete. It was experimentally declared that the strength performance of concrete was reduced while utilizing SCBA and RHA individually and combined as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) at 7, 28, 56, and 90 days, respectively. Moreover, the initial and final setting time is increased as the quantity of replacement level of OPC with SCBA and RHA separates and together as SCM in the mixture. Based on experimental findings, it was concluded that the use of 5% of SCBA and 5% of RHA as cement replacement material individually or combined in concrete could provide appropriate results for structural applications in concrete.