Predicting the optimal composition of sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) and groundgranulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) in ternary blended supplementarycementitious system

Abstract

This paper has presented experimental work proposing an optimal proportion of sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) in ternary blended supplementary cementitious systems. In the first phase, the physical, chemical, and morphological characterizations of these pozzolans have been evaluated to ascertain their suitability as supplementary cementitious materials. The physical properties of SCBA and GGBS have been evaluated in accordance with Indian Standard IS 1727. The chemical composition has been analysed using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), while the mineralogical composition has been characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The morphological features of these materials have been examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). In the second phase, twelve mortar mixtures have been prepared with a constant cement content while varying the proportions of SCBA and GGBS, maintaining constant workability. The strength activity index of these blended pozzolanic cement mortars has been evaluated by compressive strength testing, and it has been found that a supplementary cementitious material composed of 40% SCBA and 60% GGBS has achieved a pozzolanic activity index greater than 1 and has been identified as the optimal SCBA–GGBS blend.