Experimental Study on Strength Properties of Concrete by Partial Replacement of Cement with Sugarcane Bagasse Ash

Concrete is the most widely used material for the construction. One of the important ingredients of concrete is cement. During the production of cement, large amount of CO₂ is emitted, which affects the global environment. With increasing demand and consumption of cement, scientists and researchers are in search of developing alternate binders that are eco-friendly. Initiatives are emerging worldwide to strike a balance between the developments in infrastructure and prevention of the environment from contamination, by using the industrial and agricultural wastes. In this study, the feasibility of using Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SBA), a finely ground waste product from the sugarcane industry, as partial replacement for cement in conventional concrete is examined. The disposal of this material is causing environmental problems around the sugar factories. On the other hand, the boost in construction activities in the country created shortage in most of concrete making materials especially cement, resulting in an increase in price. The percentages selected for this study are 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% by the weight of cement in concrete. Based on the experimental tests, it can be concluded that SBA, an agrowaste product, can be utilized effectively in partial replacement of cement, thus reducing CO₂ emissions and disposal problems to some extent.