Crystal and microstructure analysis of Pozzolanic properties of bamboo leaf ash and locust beans pod ash blended cement concrete

Abstract

Pozzolans have been discovered recently to be of various benefits to the construction industries and various researches are on the high gear to further discover, proof and established their suitability as substitute to cement. This research work has therefore work on the effectiveness of bamboo leaf ash (BLA) and locust beans pod ash (LPBA) as pozzolans with reference to crystal and microstructure of its hydrated paste. Ordinary Portland cement was partially replaced with BLA and LPBA at different percentages, concrete pastes were made and cured at 7 and 28 days for the tests. The research work has been carried out using compressive strength test, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, X-ray diffraction analysis as well as scanning electron microscopy to discover, present and analyze the quality and quantity of composition and hydration behavior of the different paste. The tests established BLA and LBPA as capable of successfully replacing cement in concrete production with added advantages in the properties of such concrete in term of mineral composition and microstructure interlocking. Keywords: Concrete, pozzolans, microstructure, crystal, hydration, silica ©JASEM