OPTIMIZATION OF BAGASSE ASH TO CEMENT MIX PROPORTION FOR M30 GRADE CONCRETE

This study was focus on the optimization of bagasse ash to cement mix proportion and suitability of bagasse ash as a cement replacing material to minimize the degradation of environment due to cement demand. The grinding of the bagasse ash was done in a small mill at a time and then the bagasse ash size was reduced to fineness similar to that of Portland cement. After reduced the ash size, the complete silicate analysis were investigated for major chemical composition of bagasse ash. The trial mix was prepared for characteristics strength of 30MPa with water to cement ratio of 0.45 and a cement content of 397.8kg/m3. For the purpose of preparing a final mix the water to cement ratio of the mix was increased from 0.40 and 0.45 to 0.5 by keeping the cement content constant i.e. water increased from 179kg/m3 to 198.9kg/m3, in order to adjust the slump. The blended pastes like consistency, setting time and soundness investigated at different replacement contents in the ratio of 5%, 10% and 15% by weight of cement. A total of 27 bagasse ash to cement mix concrete with three replicates (81 specimens) should be casted by varying the levels of key factors affecting concrete properties. Fresh concrete that is slump cone test were undertaken as well as hardened concrete test is compressive strength at the age of 28 days was obtained. The optimum values of water/cementitious materials ratio and fine/total aggregate ratios have resulted in a higher compressive strength at lower cementitious materials content resulting in significant cost saving in the concrete production and the compressive strength decreases as the bagasse ash to cement blended increases over 10%. Slightly, all of the bagasse ash to ordinary port land cemen