Performance Evaluation of Bottom Ash as Aggregate Replacement in Conventional Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC): An Experimental Study

Abstract

The escalating demand for construction materials, coupled with the depletion of natural resources such as sand, necessitates environmentally conscious alternatives in concrete production. This study investigates the viability of utilizing bottom ash as an eco-friendly substitute for natural sand in roller compacted concrete (RCC). The focus is on evaluating workability and mechanical properties, examining bottom ash replacements at 0%, 20%, 25%, and 30% for fine aggregate. The research employs a comprehensive methodology, assessing workability and mechanical strength, encompassing compressive, split tensile, and flexural strengths across various concrete formulations. Comparative analyses with conventional concrete provide conclusive insights. Significantly, the study consistently highlights the superiority of RCC specimens featuring a 25% bottom ash replacement, exhibiting the highest strength values. This establishes the 25% replacement ratio as optimal for achieving robust roller-compacted concrete. Despite a slight reduction in workability with increasing bottom ash replacement, it remains within acceptable limits for practical applications. Comparative analyses between bottom ash RCC and conventional RCC underscore the superior mechanical attributes of the former, suggesting its potential as a sustainable alternative in concrete construction. By substituting natural sand with bottom ash, this research addresses environmental concerns related to the depletion of sand reserves. It actively contributes to sustainable practices within the concrete industry, demonstrating the viability of bottom ash as a substitute for natural sand in roller compacted concrete production. In conclusion, the study advocates for environmentally friendly practices and offers a practical solution to mitigate the ecological impact of sand resource depletion in the realm of concrete construction. The findings emphasize that the optimum percentage of bottom ash for compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength tests is within the range of 0% to 12%.