Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Sugar cane ash is a byproduct of the sugar cane industry and is often disposed of as waste. This study investigates the effect of untreated sugar cane ash on the setting time and compressive strength of concrete mixtures. The aim is to explore the potential of utilizing sugar cane ash as a supplementary cementitious material in concrete production. The experimental program involves incorporating varying percentages of sugar cane ash into concrete mixtures, ranging from 0% to 20% replacement of cement. The setting time of the concrete mixtures is monitored using standard penetration resistance tests, while the compressive strength is evaluated at different curing ages up to 28 days. The results indicate that the addition of untreated sugar cane ash affects both the setting time and compressive strength of the concrete mixtures. As the percentage of sugar cane ash increases, the setting time of the concrete mixtures tends to extend. This is attributed to the pozzolanic reaction between the sugar cane ash and the calcium hydroxide in the cement paste, which can delay the early hydration reactions. In terms of compressive strength, incorporating sugar cane ash generally leads to a reduction in strength compared to the control mix without ash. However, at lower replacement levels (up to 10%), the decrease in compressive strength is relatively minor. This suggests that sugar cane ash can be used as a partial replacement for cement without significantly compromising the strength of the concrete. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the potential benefits and challenges of utilizing untreated sugar cane ash in concrete production. While the addition of sugar cane ash can prolong the setting time and reduce the compressive strength of concrete mixtures, proper dosage control and optimization strategies can help mitigate these effects. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term performance and durability aspects of concrete incorporating sugar cane ash, as well as the influence of different curing conditions on the properties of the concrete mixtures.

Thesis Overview

1.1 BACKGROUND

Concrete is a construction material that compose of cement (Portland cement) as well as other cementious material such as ash and slag cement aggregates (coarse e.g. gravel, limestone or granite chemical admixtures).

Concrete solidifies and hardens after mixing with water and placement due to a chemical process known as hydration; the water reacts with the cement which bonds the components together, eventually creating a stone like material. Concrete is used to make pavements, pipes, architectural structures, foundations, motor way/roads, bridges/over passes, parking structures, bricks/block walls and footing, for gates, fence and poles.

Concrete is used more than any other manmade materials in the world. Reinforced concrete and pre-stressed concrete are the most widely used modern kinds of concrete functional extensions.

The construction industry has adopted the 28 days strength as a reference point and specifications often refers to compression test of cylinders of cubes of concrete which are crushed 28 days after they are made, During the first week to 10 days curing, it is important that the concrete is not permitted to freeze or dry out because either of these, occurrences would be very detrimental to the strength development of concrete.

In this, we want to ascertain the true effect of sugar cane ash on the setting time and strength of concrete being used in the construction works.

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this work is to compare the compressive strength of concrete in which some percentages of cement had been replaced with equal weight of sugarcane ash with that of normal concrete produced from the same mix ratio, and to determine the effect of sugar cane ash on the initial and final setting time of concrete.

1.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this work is on the effect of untreated sugar cane ash on the setting time and compressive strength of concrete mix.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this work is to reduce cost of buying chemical admixture if need be in a particular construction.