Studies of Sulphate Attack on Sugar Cane Bagasse Ash Concrete

R Ramya Swetha1, Dr. V Srinivasa Reddy2, P Sai Sujan3

ABSTRACT

The present study investigates the effect of sugarcane bagasse ash on resisting sulphate
attack in concrete when partially replaced for Portland cement. The sugarcane bagasse ash,
which mainly contains aluminium ion, silica, iron and calcium oxides, is an industrial waste
and poses disposal problems. In the present study, the effect of various concentrations (1%,
2%,3%, 4%, and 5%) of magnesium sulphate (MgSO 4) on compressive strength of concrete
replaced with various percentages (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight of cement) of
sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) is evaluated. The loss of compressive strengths of concrete
subjected to various concentrations of MgSO4 solutions for 7,28,60,90 and 180 days
indicates that up to 10% replacement; increase in strength was observed after which
strengths were decreasing. This increase in strength is attributed to pozzolanic activity of
sugarcane bagasse ash.
Keywords: sugarcane bagasse ash, compressive strength, sulphate attack, durability,
magnesium sulphate
INTRODUCTION
Sugarcane production in India is over 300 million tons/year leaving about 10
million tons as unutilized and, hence, wastes material. The utilization of SCBA in concrete
as a partial replacement of cement is gaining immense importance today; mainly it
enhances the long term durability of concrete combined with ecological benefits. The use of
SCBA in concrete as a supplementary cementitious material was tested as an alternative to
traditional concrete.
EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME
The experimental investigation carried out by producing sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA)
concrete by replacing cement by sugarcane bagasse ash in the range of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%,
and 20% by weight of cement and tested for 7, 28, 60, 90 and180 days for compressive
strengths when exposed to MgSO4 solution of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% to evaluate effect of
the sulphate attack .
TEST RESULTS & DISCUSSION
The following table gives the specifications of Sugar Cane Bagasse Ash:
Table 1: Physical properties of sugarcane bagasse ash
Density
575Kg/m3
Specific Gravity
2.2
Mean particle size
0.1-0.2 m
Specific Surface Area
250m2/ kg
Particle shape
Spherical
11

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, GRIET, Hyderabad, India

Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, GRIET, Hyderabad, India
3
Student, Department of Civil Engineering, GRIET, Hyderabad, India.
2

Table 2: Chemical composition of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash

Characteristic

Test Results %

(SiO2) + A12O3. Fe2O3 % by mass

SiO2 % by mass

85.14
60.20
2.48

MgO % by mass
Total sulfur as SO3 % by mass
Available alkali as sodium oxide (Na2O) % by mass
Loss of ignition % by mass

0.10
4.32
5.10

Table 4.Workability
% Replacement of cement with
Workability
SCBA
compaction factor
0%
0.856
5%
0.838
10%
0.817
15%
0.807
20%
0.779
Table 5: Compressive Strengths of M40 SCBA Concrete
Sample
% of
Designation SCBA
W-0
W-05
W-10
W-15
W-20

0
5
10
15
20

compressive compressive compressive compressive compressive

strength
strength
strength
strength
strength
at 7 days
at 28 days
at 60days
at 90days
at 180days
38.24
38.95
39.69
37.30
35.76

46.19
47.08
48.145
45.61
44.14

56.82
57.54
57.86
55.28
54.01

59.99
60.18
61.16
58.12
57.81

62.00
62.20
63.16
60.12
59.81

Table 6.1: Compressive Strengths in 1% MgSO4

Sample
% of
Designation SCBA

compressive compressive compressive compressive compressive

strength
strength
strength
strength
strength
at 7 days
at 28 days
at 60days
at 90days
at 180days

M-11

35.34

42.68

52.99

56.46

58.56

M-12
M-13
M-14
M-15

5
10
15
20

36.62
37.12
34.99
34.38

43.70
44.99
42.55
41.14

53.85
54.68
51.98
50.12

57.37
58.85
55.12
54.4

59.27
60.95
57.32
56.34

Table 6.2: Compressive Strength in 2% MgSO4

compressive compressive compressive compressive compressive
Sample
% of
strength
strength
strength
strength
strength
Designation SCBA
at 7 days
at 28 days
at 60days
at 90days
at 180days
M-21
0
35.84
43.3
53.71
57.18
59.20
M-22
5
36.92
44.66
55.52
58.68
60.70
M-23
10
38.32
46.64
56.44
59.88
61.80
M-24
15
35.86
43.78
53.52
56.54
58.55
M-25
20
35.23
42.32
52.04
55.98
57.99
Table 6.3: Compressive Strength results in 3% MgSO4
Sample
% of
Designation SCBA
M-31
M-32
M-33
M-34
M-35
Sample
Designatio
n
M-41
M-42
M-43
M-44
M-45

0
5
10
15
20

compressive compressive compressive compressive compressive

strength
strength
strength
strength
strength
at 7 days
at 28 days
at 60days
at 90days
at 180days
36.24
37.46
38.32
35.86
35.23

44.18
45.17
46.64
43.82
42.32

54.51
55.68
56.52
53.26
52.04

57.81
58.68
60.32
56.83
55.98

59.82
60.70
62.28
58.82
57.96

Table 6.4: Compressive Strength results in 4% MgSO4

compressive compressive compressive compressive compressive
% of
strength
strength
strength
strength
strength
SCBA
at 7 days
at 28 days
at 60days
at 90days
at 180days
0
35.75
43.76
53.8
57.41
59.42
5
36.89
44.67
54.62
57.94
59.98
10
37.56
46.18
55.64
59.21
61.20
15
35.34
43.26
52.72
55.64
57.65
20
34.72
41.92
51.42
55.23
57.25
Table 6.5: Compressive Strength in 5% MgSO4

Sample
Designatio
n

% of
SCBA

M-51
M-52
M-53
M-54
M-55

0
5
10
15
20

compressive compressive compressive compressive compressive

strength
strength
strength
strength
strength
at 7 days
at 28 days
at 60days
at 90days
at 180days
35.69
36.8
37.52
35.32
34.68

43.62
44.6
46.14
43.22
41.88

53.72
54.56
55.6
52.64
51.39

57.36
57.88
59.16
55.6
55.19

59.32
59.84
61.16
57.58
57.20

Fig 1: Compressive strengths of M40 SCBA Concrete with various replacements

Fig 2: Compressive strengths of M40 SCBA Concrete with various replacements in

1% Magnesium Sulphate solution

Fig 3: Compressive strengths of M40 SCBA Concrete with various replacements in

2% Magnesium Sulphate solution

Fig 4: Compressive strengths of M40 SCBA Concrete with various replacements in

3% Magnesium Sulphate solution

Fig 5: Compressive strengths of M40 SCBA Concrete with various replacements in

4% Magnesium Sulphate solution

Fig 6: Compressive strengths of M40 SCBA Concrete with various replacements in

5% Magnesium Sulphate solution

Fig 7: Casted cubes of M40 SCBA Concrete of 10% replacement

Fig 8: M40 SCBA Concrete of 10% replacement after sulphate attack

CONCLUSIONS
From the experimental studies following conclusions are drawn:
1. The specific surface area of SCBA is 420 m2/kg greater than 330 m2/kg of cement.
2. The workability of SCBA concretes have decreased in compared with ordinary
concrete. It is inferred that reduction in workability is due to large surface area of
SCBA.
3. The compressive strengths of concrete (with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, weight
replacement of cement with SCBA) cured in Normal water for 7, 28, 60, 90 and 180
days have reached the target mean strength.
4. The compressive strengths of concrete (with 0%, 5%,10%,15% and 20%, weight
replacement of cement with SCBA) cured in different concentrations of
(1%,2,%,3%,4%,5%) Magnesium sulphate solution for 7, 28, 60 ,90 and 180 days
(Table 9.1 to Table 9.5), indicate that at 5% replacement there is increase in strength
and it extended in 10% replacement also and then decrease in strength is noticed at
15% and 20% replacements .
6

5. Due to slow pozzolanic reaction the Sugar Cane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) concrete
achieves significant improvement in its mechanical properties at later ages.
6. In concretes cement can be replaced with 20% SCBA without sacrificing strength.
REFERENCES
1. ACI Committee Report NO. 226, BR8 Use of FlyashACI Material Journal
Sept/Oct 1987.
2. Alain Biloideau and V.Mohan Malhotra High-Volume Fly ash system: Concrete
Solution for Sustainable Development ACI Material Journal, January-February,
2000.
3. Al-Amoudi Mitigating effect of chloride ions on sulfate attack of cement mortars
with or without silica fume.(Technical report).
4. A M Neville Properties of Concrete English language book society, Longman.
5. Andre Bisaillon, Michael Rivest, and V.M.Malhotra Performance of High
Volume Fly ash concrete in Large Experimental Monoliths ACI Materials Journal,
March/April, 1994
6. Biczoc, Imre, Concrete Corrosion- Concrete Protection, 8th edition,
AkademialKiado, Budapest, 1972,PP 545
7. BilodeauA.Sivasundaram V, K.E. Painter, and V.M.Malhotra Durability of
Concrete Incorporating High Volumes of Fly Ash from Sources in the U.S. ACI
Material Journal / January - February, 1994, pp. 3-12.