Effect of Elevated Temperatures on Sugarcane Bagasse Ash-Based Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete

The main focus of researchers in construction sector is to check suitability of ecofriendly alternative materials. Sugarcane bagasse ash (BA) and steel slag (SS) is one among such ecofriendly alternative materials. BA and SS has potential to utilize as binder and coarse aggregate, respectively, in concrete production. In the present investigation, BA and SS were utilized in alkali-activated slag/bagasse ash concrete (AASBC) mixture production. Full factorial experimental design was considered with two input variables, i.e., BA (0, 25, and 50%) and SS (0, 50, and 100%) as replacement to ground granulated blast furnace slag and natural coarse aggregate, respectively. Effect of elevated temperatures on BA and SS-based AASBC mixture were examined. Field emission scanning electron microscope study were carried out to check the morphological changes in ambient and elevated temperature condition. In order to rank different BA and SS-based AASBC mixture performance multi-criteria optimization techniques like, grey relational analysis, technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution, and desirability function approach were utilized. AASBC mixture with 25% BA content and 100% SS content found to be most suitable AASBC mixture based on multi-criteria optimization technique under elevated temperature conditions.

Automated summary

The main focus of researchers in the construction sector is to assess the suitability of ecofriendly alternative materials, such as sugarcane bagasse ash and steel slag, for concrete production. Through experimental design and multi-criteria optimization techniques, the most suitable AASBC mixture for elevated temperature conditions was identified.