Municipal incinerated bottom ash use as a cement component in concrete

The characteristics of municipal incinerated bottom ash (MIBA) and its potential use as a cementitious component in concrete applications are examined through an analysis and evaluation of global experimental data. As raw feed in cement clinker production, MIBA can be incorporated at minor contents without compromising performance. To avoid damaging hydrogen gas expansive reactions arising due to the metallic aluminium in the ash, treatment of MIBA is required for use as cement components in cement, mortar and concrete. As such, thermal and chemical treatments, as well as tailored slow and wet grinding treatments, have been effective in improving performance. The hydrogen gas expansion associated with MIBA can beneficially contribute towards the lightweight properties required for aerated concrete, with the ash serving as an alternative to aerating agents and also contributing to strength development. Initial work on controlled low-strength materials has highlighted MIBA as a potential cement replacement material that can meet the low-strength requirements.