Experimental Study on Microstructural and Mechanical Behaviour of Self Compacting Concrete Using Agricultural Waste

This paper presents the behaviour of pozzolanic material, i.e. sugar cane bagasse ash (agricultural waste), which has been used as a partial replacement of cement in self-compacting concrete. The investigations were done by preparing the samples using SCBA in per cent 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 by replacing the cement in SCC. The results of these samples were compared with the control specimen. For the evaluation of fresh and harden properties, tests for workability (Slump flow, T50cm time, U-box, L-box, J-ring and V-funnel), split tensile strength and compressive strength were carried out. Further, for the microstructural study of the mixes, other tests, viz. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray florescence (XRF), field emission scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were performed. The thermal analysis was investigated using thermal-gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The experimental results indicate that there is an improvement in strength of self-compacting concrete using bagasse ash as a replacement for cement. The workability of different mixes was decreased with addition of SCBA but within the permissible range. The increasing trend of strength was observed when cement was replaced up to 15% by SCBA and then continued to decline. The development of strength in concrete was observed by use of FESEM images and EDS report. The microstructural study was used to reveal the effect of SCBA on SCC by observing the Ca/Si ratio and CSH (calcium silicate hydrate).