Feasibility of using bagasse ash incorporating limestone calcined clay cement as ordinary Portland cement replacement for stabilisation of black cotton soils

In this study, a green and cost-effective cement system was developed with bagasse ash (BA incorporating limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) as ordinary Portland cement (OPC) replacement from black cotton soil (BCS) stabilisation perspective. Effect of BA incorporating 20 % - 60 % range of LC3 on standard consistency (SC), setting time (ST) and compressive strength properties was investigated and optimised through comparison studies with similar properties to BA incorporating 20 % - 60 % range of OPC. Optimum content of BA incorporating LC3 was added to BCS in different mix proportion range of 0-18 %. Effect of addition of different content of BA incorporating LC3 on performance of BCS specimens was examined in terms of compaction, free swell and durability properties. The results show that utilisation of BA incorporating LC3 maintains compressive strength and improves SC as well as ST of BA incorporating LC3 paste. Compared to BA incorporating OPC, BA incorporating 40 % of LC3 content at 0.50 water-cement (w/c) ratio obtained a good comprehensive strength equivalent cement performance. From the experimental results, it was found that addition of BA incorporating LC3 at optimal content significantly improved compaction, swell potential and durability properties of treated BCS. This study demonstrates technical feasibility of BA incorporating LC3 as a cement replacement. It verifies the reuse of by-products from agriculture for application as cementitious materials. The study further promotes the utilisation of BA incorporating LC3 for addressing climate change emergency and reducing high costs for routine BCS stabilisation practice.