Published Paper Details:

The construction industry is a major contributor to environmental degradation, and cement production is a substantial contributor to the overall CO2 emissions. Due to this environmental change, there is a greater interest in the partial replacement of cement with other materials, such as agricultural byproducts. This project investigates the use of Bagasse Ash (BA) as a partial cement replacement in concrete. This form of ash, which is a byproduct of sugarcane processing, has pozzolanic properties that provide an opportunity to enhance the mechanical / durability properties of concrete and reduce its environmental impact. The project investigates the effect of different percentage of bagasse ash substitute (5%-30% by mass) on concrete's workability, strength, and durability. In this research project, a series of experimental tests are conducted for both fresh and hardened concrete, including slump, compressive strength, and tensile strength. The results demonstrate that bagasse ash can be successfully substituted for cement in concrete mixes. The project shows that the ideal percent substitution rate for cement is 10% with a good overall balance of workability strength and durability. Furthermore, this substitution is beneficial to the environment and it can assist in the reduction of the overall cost of producing concrete. The findings of this study not only extend the body of knowledge into sustainable building materials, but also suggest implications for the application of bagasse ash as a cement replacement in a practical sense. This study suggests that bagasse ash is a greener alternative to cement, and that it provides improved concrete durability and performance over time. This further supports bagasse ash in its role for sustainable practice in the building industry. This study supports further exploration into the use of mix design for bagasse ash in concrete and suggest a future use of bagasse ash in a workable mix design for alternative purposes in the building industry, that can ultimately lead to greener and more cost-effective sustainable building materials.