Improved interfacial transition zone in concrete with agro-industrial waste as mineral addition

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of sugarcane industrial ash (SCIA) on mechanical properties of interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between aggregates and cementitious matrix by nanoindentation technical analysis. The sugarcane biomass (agroindustrial by-product) was used for generation of electricity by burning in a cogeneration power system. The results of nanoindentation analyses showed that the ITZ thickness varied significantly with the water/binder ratio. Each formulation used different water and binder ratio, with the inclusion of 20% silica fume (SF) or SCIA. In fact, the mineral additions caused a reduction of the thickness of the matrix-aggregate ITZ, and consequently increased the values of the indentation modulus and hardness in relation to aggregate-matrix interface of the reference concrete.Peer reviewe