Experimental characterization of sugarcane biomass ash - A review

The present paper reviews the experimental characterization of sugarcane biomass ash as a pozzolanic binder for producing sustainable concrete. The process of development of pozzolanic binder from sugarcane crop is proposed through a framework. The effect of combustion temperature and grinding conditions on the pozzolanic property of sugarcane biomass ash is discussed. The physico-chemical characterization, pozzolanic reactivity, a heat of hydration, and rheological performance of sugarcane biomass ash are studied. Furthermore, the water absorption, sorptivity, water consistency, compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, chloride penetration, chloride diffusion, and soundness properties of the concrete are analyzed for the different replacement percentage of cement. Reasonably, 25% replacement level of cement by sugarcane biomass ash in producing sustainable blended concrete is considered as an optimum replacement. It gives satisfactory results of physicomechanical, durability, and strength properties of blended concrete. The present paper explores various factors responsible for the optimum replacement level of sugarcane biomass ash in the concrete such as growing conditions of sugarcane crop (including regions), combustion conditions and cooling duration of sugarcane biomass ash, ash collection methods, and grinding conditions of ash. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.