Project Abstract

Abstract
The use of sugar cane ash (SCA) as a mineral admixture in concrete production has gained significant attention due to its pozzolanic properties. This study investigates the effect of untreated sugar cane ash on the setting time and compressive strength of concrete mix. Concrete samples were prepared by replacing a portion of cement with varying percentages of SCA. The setting time of the concrete mixes was measured using the Vicat apparatus, while the compressive strength was determined at different curing periods. The results indicated that the incorporation of untreated SCA delayed the setting time of concrete due to its high fineness and surface area. However, the compressive strength of the concrete mixes improved with the addition of SCA up to a certain replacement level, beyond which a decrease in strength was observed. The pozzolanic reaction between SCA and calcium hydroxide contributed to the development of strength in the concrete. It was found that an optimal replacement level of SCA could enhance the compressive strength of concrete without significantly affecting the setting time. Overall, the findings suggest that untreated sugar cane ash can be a viable mineral admixture for improving the properties of concrete, provided that the replacement level is carefully controlled to achieve the desired balance between setting time and compressive strength.

Project Overview

INTRODUTION

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.