Investigation on Control Burned of Bagasse Ash on the Properties of Bagasse Ash-Blended Mortars

In recent years, partial replacement of cement with bagasse ash has been given attention for construction application due to its pozzolanic characteristics. Sugarcane bagasse ash and fine bagasse particles are abundant byproducts of the sugar industries and are disposed of in landfills. Our study presents the effect of burning bagasse at different temperatures (300 °C and 600 °C) on the compressive strength and physical properties of bagasse ash-blended mortars. Experimental results have revealed that bagasse produced more amorphous silica with very low carbon contents when it was burned at 600 °C/2 h. The compressive strength of mortar was improved when 5% bagasse ash replaced ordinary portland cement (OPC) at early curing ages. The addition of 10% bagasse ash cement also increased the compressive strength of mortars at 14 and 28 days of curing. However, none of the bagasse ash-blended portland pozzolana cement (PPC) mortars have shown improvement on compressive strength with the addition of bagasse ash. Characterization of bagasse ash was done using XRD, DTA-TGA, SEM, and atomic absorption spectrometry. Moreover, durability of mortars was checked by measuring water absorption and apparent porosity for bagasse ash-blended mortars.

Experimental Evaluation of Cement Mortars with End-of-Life Tyres Exposed to Different Surface Treatments

An end-of-Life Tyre (ELT) is a type of waste that can generate negative social and environmental impacts due to its disposal. Considering that rubber can improve concrete properties and the massive use of concrete as construction material, the addition of ELT rubber in concrete mixes is attractive. However, concrete mechanical properties are negatively affected due to the rubber-cementitious matrix interaction. Although rubber treatments have been developed to minimise the negative effects, the geo-dependency of the mix makes necessary to find cost-effective and practical solutions that will allow a real use of the ELT waste. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to characterise the properties of cement mortars with the addition of ELT rubber under three surface treatments: hydration, oxidation-sulphonation, and hydrogen peroxide. The results show that hydration is the most favourable treatment from a technical, practical, and economical point of view. In fact, with this treatment, it is possible to add up to 5% ELT rubber, with respect to the aggregate weight, and still exceed the design strength without adding more cement or additives as other investigations. The use of Portland Pozzolana Cement, with local fly ash waste, contributes as well to the promissory results obtained.

Potential of Portland pozzolana cement in the stabilization of an expansive soil subjected to alternate cycles of wetting and drying

Cement/lime stabilization of soils is one of the common techniques adopted for improving its geotechnical properties. Lately, the focus of investigation has shifted to blended stabilization with industrial wastes as auxiliary additives. However, the role of blended cement in stabilization of soil has been studied insufficiently despite the fact that it is manufactured under controlled conditions. This investigation deals with the use of Portland pozzolana cement (PPC) instead of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in the stabilization of an expansive soil subjected to alternate cycles of wetting and drying. Unconfined compression strength (UCS) test specimens of dimensions 38mm x 76mm were cast and cured for periods of 7, 14 and 21 days. Then, the specimens were subjected to 1, 2 and 3 cycles of wetting and drying and the UCS of the specimens were determined. Based on the results of the investigation, it was found that OPC performed significantly better than PPC under normal conditions. However, under conditions of wetting and drying, PPC stabilized soil performed much better than OPC stabilized soil when sufficient binder content was available.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF SELF-CURING CONCRETE

The study aim was to make comparison between self-curing and traditional concrete qualities in terms of hardiness and water absorption. The study was experimental in nature and made use of material including Portland Pozzolana cement, fine aggregate, and angular coarse aggregate. The three grades of concrete were used in the experiment including M10, M20, and M30 based on cube and cylinder format. The tests involved in the study included non-destructive test, compression and split tensile strength test, and water absorption test. The findings show that overall, self-curing concrete shows better performance compare to the sprinkler or fully cured concrete. Thus, the study makes recommendation that traditional concrete may be replaced with the self-curing concrete.

Effect on Quality of Cement-Mortar by Inclusion of Nano Particle of Zinc Oxide

Now days, there are so many new nano-technologies and methodologies are developed on the field of construction. These days, there is a swiftly rising concern especially using Nano-particles in Portland Pozzolana cement (PPC) concrete to improve the overall properties. The upper layer area of Nano-particles gives more chemical reaction at the subject to gives improved properties and capacities. Complete experiment the mixture of PPC- mortar with Nano-particles, ZnO with diameter of 50-60 nm of compressive-strength are investigated. ZnO have good physical and chemical properties such as dissolve in most of acids, reducing void ratio, availability in different crystalline forms gives enhanced mix of mortar. The principle reason for this investigation prepare a blended mortar with improved mechanical properties. The impacts of nano particles on the qualities such as compressive strength of mortar were experimentally investigated. The blended cement consists of Portland Pozzolana cement (PPC) and nano zinc oxide (NZnO) particles are used. The blended cement given in this investigation consists of Por PPC-cement and NZnO particles. The cement is moderately replaced with NZnO of 0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 % by PPC cement. The mixture of cement, sand and water was prepared by the ratio of 1:2 and 1:3 of cement-sand by weight with water – binder ratio of 0.35. The strength of cement mortar will be measured after 7, 14 and 28 days. By adding NZnO, we can get good strength values of concrete more than usual strength values we got approximately 18%, of more strength by replacing 1.5% of cement by weight and also there is minimum usage of water with using super plasticizer.