Scientific Reports (Jun 2021)

Strength enhancement of concrete using incinerated agricultural waste as supplementary cement materials

  • Teh Sabariah Binti Abd Manan,
  • Nur Liyana Mohd Kamal,
  • Salmia Beddu,
  • Taimur Khan,
  • Daud Mohamad,
  • Agusril Syamsir,
  • Zarina Itam,
  • Hisyam Jusoh,
  • Nur Amalina Nadiah Basri,
  • Wan Hanna Melini Wan Mohtar,
  • Mohamed Hasnain Isa,
  • Nasir Shafiq,
  • Amirrudin Ahmad,
  • Nadiah Wan Rasdi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92017-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract The potassium (K) and sodium (Na) elements in banana are needed for hydration reaction that can enhance the strength properties of concrete. This research aims (a) to determine the material engineering properties of banana skin ash (BSA) and concrete containing BSA, (b) to measure the strength enhancement of concrete due to BSA, and (c) to identify optimal application of BSA as supplementary cement materials (SCM) in concrete. The BSA characterization were assessed through X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Blaine’s air permeability. The workability, compressive strength, and microstructures of concrete containing BSA were analysed using slump test, universal testing machine (UTM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). A total of 15 oxides and 19 non-oxides elements were identified in BSA with K (43.1%) the highest and Na was not detected. At 20 g of mass, the BSA had a higher bulk density (198.43 ± 0.00 cm3) than ordinary Portland cement (OPC) (36.32 ± 0.00 cm3) indicating availability of large surface area for water absorption. The concrete workability was reduced with the presence of BSA (0% BSA: > 100 mm, 1% BSA: 19 ± 1.0 mm, 2%: 15 ± 0.0 mm, 3% BSA: 10 ± 0.0 mm). The compressive strength increased with the number of curing days. The concrete microstructures were improved; interfacial transition zones (ITZ) decreased with an increase of BSA. The optimal percentage of BSA obtained was at 1.25%. The established model showed significant model terms (Sum of Squares = 260.60, F value = 69.84) with probability of 0.01% for the F-value to occur due to noise. The established model is useful for application in construction industries.