An Investigation on the Micro Structural and Elemental Composition of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash Blended Concrete using SEM and EDS Technique

Sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) is a solid waste obtained from the boilers of sugar factories after the combustion of sugarcane bagasse. Sugarcane bagasse ash mainly consists of amorphous silica and can be used as a supplementary cementitious material in the production of concrete. In the present study, the physical properties of sugarcane bagasse ash, namely, particle size distribution, surface area, specific gravity, morphology and chemical properties like elemental composition of SBA and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) have been investigated. The microstructural observations were made using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Elemental compositions were analyzed and images coupled to microanalysis by Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The microstructure observations and elemental characterization of cement concrete matrix was also carried out after 28 days of curing. Blended cement concrete specimens were prepared using SBA up to 30% in regular intervals of 10% by weight of pure Portland cement, coarse and fine aggregate, tap water and superplastisizer. SEM results indicates that substitution of SBA particles by Portland cement produces dense matrix as compared to control mix and EDS analysis shows fluctuations in calcium and silica concentrations as the cement replacement level increases in the blended cement concrete.