Comparative study on strength and durability of concrete upon partial substitution of fly ash and bagasse ash in conventional concrete

The need for concrete is continuously increasing which also leads to a proportional increase in cement demand. The percentage increase of cement manufacturing is 3% per annum. Due to the augmented consumption of cement, the emission of carbon-di-oxide is increasing day by day. CO 2 accounts for approximately 65% of global warming among greenhouse effect. The notorious impacts caused due to the cement utilization gave direction to this research for the partial replacement of class F fly ash and bagasse ash burnt at 1000°C in the conventional concrete. Comparative study is performed by casting mix with fly ash replaced at 0% to 40% at 5% interval and accordingly other mixes with bagasse ash replaced with 0% to 40% at 5% interval by weight of cement in the concrete and cured for 28, 56, and 90 days. Experimental investigations were carried out to determine mechanical parameters like compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, and durability aspects like resistance to chloride ion permeability, acid attack. Micro-structural investigations were carried out to determine the presence of peak, the composition of elements through X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Based on the research, it was concluded that fly ash can be replaced up to 40% and bagasse ash up to 15% in the concrete in terms of both strength and durability aspects. Fly ash replacement resulted in the maximum later strength achievement of 74 MPa at 30% replacement while the bagasse ash incorporation resulted in maximum early strength attainment of 61.9 MPa at 15% replacement.