Experimental investigation of Bamboo Leaf Ash and Rice Husk Ash as partial replacement cement in concrete

Construction work was mostly done in the ancient era using mudstone obtained from industry. The experimental investigation on the strength properties of M30 grade concrete, in which rice husk ash and bamboo leaf ash have largely substituted cement. One of these waste materials produced as a by-product of the rice paddy milling industry is rice husk ash (RHA). and Bamboo is used as scaffolding for the manufacture of domestic goods and construction paper. In this investigation, concrete specimens created with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of the RHAsh and BLAsh as the cement replacement percentages were used to calculate the strength-related parameters such as compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength. Samples were examined at 7, 14, and 28 days old. Finally, it was determined that, when compared to other replacement levels, the 5% RHAsh and BLAsh replacement level in M30 grade concrete demonstrated to be greater.


INTRODUCTION
This research aims to reduce the high cost of structural concrete by effectively using locally available pozzolanic materials, specifically rice husk ash (RHA) and bamboo leaf ash (BLA).These agricultural waste products pose disposal challenges, and the study seeks to explore their potential as additives in concrete production.By incorporating RHA and BLA, we aim to improve concrete's strength and durability while addressing waste management issues.This approach can make concrete production more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.While concrete is currently the most often used construction material worldwide.The binder (cement) is the most expensive component of concrete, so replacing it in part with a more natural, affordable local material like RHA and BLA will not only address the issue of waste management but also lower the issue of the high cost of concrete and housing.This substance is truly a super pozzolan since it contains a high percentage of silica (between 85% and 90%) Because of this, a "pozzolan" is defined as a substance, typically siliceous or aluminium in nature, that lacks inherent cementing properties when used alone.However, when finely divided and exposed to moisture, it undergoes a chemical reaction with calcium hydroxide at normal temperatures, resulting in the formation of compounds with cementitious properties."Using it to create "high performance concrete" that has excellent workability and exceptionally high early strengths, or considering the concrete's excellent workability and long-term durability, are two effective ways to use this material.Recycling waste materials helps cement manufacture use less energy while preserving natural resources and protecting the environment.Furthermore, the characteristics of concrete can be greatly enhanced by the introduction of certain components that may have pozzolanic reactivity.Rice husk and bamboo leaf are two of the agricultural waste materials that make the best pozzolanic materials since they are more readily accessible and contain a significant amount of silica.In the process of burning rice husk, about 20% of the husk's weight is recovered as ash, which is made up of more than 75% silica by weight.The ash is not like natural pozzolan.provides a supply of silica that may be used every year.[1] RHA and BLA use in concrete could improve workability, minimize heat evolution, decrease permeability, and boost strength.over time, it is important to note.The output of rice has expanded in Iran during the past several years, making it the 1327 (2024) 012007 IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1327/1/012007 2 most significant crop.Bamboo leaf and rice husk are two types of waste that are generated in large amounts.Sustainable development and construction are one of the most important aspects of the global building industry because they account for a large amount of the greenhouse gas engineering approach to designing concrete mix in the context of the world's growing environmental consciousness, particularly as it relates to concrete and the problems with natural resources.This calls for durable concrete.[2,3] 1.1 Cement Demand The primary component of concrete is cement, which is a substance with adhesive and cohesive qualities that enable it to bind mineral pieces into a compact mass.Limestone is the primary raw material used in cement manufacturing.The annual amount of cement consumed worldwide is expected to grow from 2005 levels during the next 15 years.Global Cement estimates through the 2021 report, global cement manufacturing and consumption are at high levels and are continuing the underlying annual rise that has seen yearly growth nearly every year since 1970.[4] There is some decline in cement production due to population growth and a scarcity of cement ingredients.

Rice Husk Ash (RHAsh)
Cement can be replaced with agricultural waste products like rice husk ash (RHA) to create concrete that is most durable, workable, and resistant to corrosion of the steel reinforcing.Enhancing the usage of cement raw materials must be maintained for concrete to be improved suitably.RHA is a pozzolanic substance that is utilized in place of ordinary Portland cement since it is very responsive.

Bamboo Leaf Ash (BLAsh)
Bamboo is used as scaffolding for the manufacture of domestic goods and construction paper.There are 1250 different species of bamboo in the world, and Myanmar has 102 different varieties.18 species, however, are employed commercially in the country.Depending based on the kind of bamboo.Physical and chemical components could be special depending on the species of bamboo, bamboo leaves ash is one of that used in this research.The bamboo species in the study area are increasing as a result.[5] 1.4 Application of RHA and BLA A sustainable and eco-friendly additive suitable for applications ranging from small to large-scale projects is rice husk ash.This substance offers waterproofing properties and can be seamlessly integrated into concrete.Moreover, it can be further enhanced with additives that inhibit chemical penetration.Rice husk ash is commonly employed in the construction of bathroom floors, industrial manufacturing flooring, and foundations.As a pozzolanic material, it can effectively supplement concrete, reducing the need for excessive cement in the mixture.[6] 1.5 Requirement of RHA and BLA Rice husk, which comprises cellulose (which accounts for 50%), lignin (which accounts for 25%-30%), and silica (15-20%), and moisture (10-15%), makes up around 20% of the weight of rice.The rice husk is characterized by a relatively low bulk density, typically falling within the range of 90 to 150 kg/m3.To put this into perspective, when 100 kilograms of rice husks are subjected to combustion in a furnace, approximately 25 kilograms of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) are generated as a by-product.This demonstrates the lightweight nature of rice husks and their yield of RHA through the combustion process.The major chemical uses of bamboo leaf ash is K2O (34.25%),SiO2 (24.33%),SO3 (14.05%), and MgO (6.68%).[7] 2. LITERATURE REVIEW The utilization of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) holds the potential to yield several advantageous outcomes, including the production of more cost-effective, higher-quality concrete and a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with cement manufacturing.This reduction in CO2 emissions can be attributed to RHA's ability to partially replace cement, resulting in reduced energy consumption during the cement production process.Velupillai et al. (1997) explored the promising prospects of utilizing rice husk as an energy source and investigated associated equipment.Their study not only sheds light on the displacement of conventional applications of rice husks but also identifies emerging opportunities for envelope utilization.Moreover, their research underscores the role of economic development, urbanization, improved living standards, stringent environmental regulations, and market consolidation in the rice milling industry.Marcelina Alvarez and A. Reddy (2006) highlight the significance of rice husk, a byproduct of rice milling, which can be burned to produce RHA.Rice hulls typically contain an ash content ranging from 18% to 22% by weight.Their findings suggest that concrete formulations incorporating RHA as a partial replacement for cement, at concentrations of 10% to 20% by weight of cement, exhibit superior performance compared to conventional concrete mixtures.Siddique and Sandhu 2017 Siddika and others, 2018-According to NBR-12653 (1992) and Xu et al. (2015), a mechanical grinder for RHAsh is 10 to 30 min.Nevertheless, the RHA's gradation and fineness vary depending on the incineration and grinding settings, and the concrete's characteristics are affected noticeably.Reducing particle size is a popular method for raising a mineral admixture's pozzolanic activity.[8] However, for good, robust growth, it is suggested to replace OPC with between 10% and 25% of the aggregate, depending on the properties.In a study led by S. S. Vivek and his team, the performance of Self Compacting Concrete (SCC) was examined by substituting varying proportions of silica fume (SF) for traditional cement.Through tests including the slump flow, T500, and compression tests, the characteristics of both fresh and hardened concrete were evaluated.Four distinct SCC mixtures were created, each with silica fume substitution ranging from 5% to 20% at 5% increments.The study discovered that replacing 10% of cement with silica fume at a water-to-powder (w/p) ratio of 0.8 produced the most favorable results for fresh concrete attributes and compressive strength.Meanwhile, using 15% silica fume in place of cement with the same w/p ratio produced better results in the Slump flow and T50 tests.[10] Additionally, substituting 5% of silica fume for cement at a w/p ratio of 0.8 enhanced compressive strength at the 7 and 14-day intervals but negatively impacted flow properties.The study highlighted that a 10% silica fume substitution at a w/p ratio of 0.8 significantly improved both fresh concrete performance and compressive strength, particularly at the 28-day mark.Ahmadi et al. conducted a study on the incorporation of rice-husk ash (RHA) from the rice paddy milling sector in both self-compacting concrete (SCC) and regular concrete mixes, evaluating their mechanical properties over a span of 180 days.This research involved two distinct replacement percentages of cement by RHA, namely 10% and 20%, and two varying water-tocementitious material ratios of 0.40 and 0.35.The outcomes from SCC mixes that did not include RHA were compared with those from the experimental group.The findings of this study indicated notable differences between SCC and regular concrete mixes, with SCC mixes demonstrating superior compressive and flexural strength, along with a lower elastic modulus.Over a period exceeding 60 days, the substitution of up to 20% of cement with rice husk ash not only reduced cement consumption and costs but also led to enhancements in concrete quality.It was postulated that, after the 60-day mark, RHA exerted a positive influence on the mechanical properties of the concrete.[9,11] In a study conducted by Krishna Murthy N. and his colleagues, self-compacting concrete (SCC) emerges as a promising construction material due to its favorable characteristics, enhanced productivity, and improved working conditions.Their research focused on various SCC mix designs, including those incorporating 29% coarse aggregate and incorporating cement replacements with both Metakaolin and class F fly ash.Additionally, they explored mixtures that combined these materials, as well as a regulated SCC mix characterized by a water-to-cement ratio of 0.36 and a cement paste volume of 388 liters per cubic meter in these SCC mix designs represented a significant advancement in construction technology.These materials were found to be highly suitable for SCC design mixes, offering the potential for substantial improvements in building construction practices.By eliminating obstacles and enhancing the properties of self-compacting concrete, this research contributes to the evolution of construction techniques, making buildings more efficient and sustainable.[12] Iran's 2017, -The investigation used five distinct mixing schemes using rick husk ash (RHA) concentrations comprised completely of Portland cement was used for the comparison.The Test's findings revealed a favorable correlation between a 15% stand in RHAsh and strength as well as a general improvement in durability characteristics with additions up to 20%; anything above is associated with a modest 4.5% loss in strength measures.The RHA used in the study possesses the Rahul Batra, Ankit Gautam, and Nishant Singh [01 April 2019]-The cost analysis was looked at and in the usage of RHAsh in concrete.[13]  replacement of cement by fly ash.The investigation examined the impact of various replacement levels (5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, and 15%) and different curing times (3 days, 7 days, 28 days, and 56 days).The results indicated that compressive strength increased gradually from 3 days to 7 days, followed by a more substantial increase from 7 days to 28 days, with a continued but slower increase from 28 days to 56 days, suggesting the potential benefits of incorporating rice husk ash into concrete [14].S. RAMESH et al. conducted a study to explore the effects of incorporating rice husk ash (RHA) into cement concrete.RHA was used to replace 20% of the cement content, and the research examined various concrete properties, including workability, weight comparison, compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength.The results revealed that Rice Husk Ash Concrete (RHAC) displayed superior workability compared to traditional concrete.Moreover, the inclusion of RHA improved corrosion resistance and overall concrete durability, potentially extending the lifespan of structures and reducing maintenance costs.Importantly, the use of RHA in concrete can contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing pollution associated with traditional cement production, aligning with the principles of eco-friendly construction practices.[12,14] 3. MATERIAL PROPERTY 3.1 Cement 43-grade cement, in comparison to 53-grade cement, exhibits a slower initial setting time.This characteristic is attributed to the fact that micro-cracks are less prevalent in its structure, and it responds well to proper curing methods during concrete or masonry construction.The hydration process of 43grade cement is more gradual, and the release of heat is relatively modest.Typically, 43 Grade Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is recommended for a wide range of general civil construction projects.This includes applications in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, where high-strength cement may not be a specific requirement.When dealing with concrete grades up to M-30, 43-grade cement is considered optimal for Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) projects.It provides adequate strength and durability for these applications without the need for the higher strength of 53grade cement.[15] 3.2 Aggregate Gravel, sand, and rock crushed are the three popular aggregates used in construction.Aggregates are made from raw materials that were taken from quarries and gravel pits, as well as from the sea in some nations.Subsequent aggregates are typically other industrial operations' by-products, such as china clay leftovers or slag from electric or blast furnaces.The aggregates are divided into three categories based on size: small material coarse material.

Fine Aggregate
It is a mixture that mostly passes a 4.75mm IS sieve and only contains the maximum amount of coarser material allowed by the specification.Depending on its particle size, fine aggregate can be categorized as coarse, medium, or fine sand, according to the source.The fine aggregate is divided into four types by the IS standards based on as the fine aggregate of grating zones 1 through 4, it is graded.The transition from grating zone 1 to zone 4 involves a gradual reduction in particle size.In these zones, fine aggregate particles have varying success rates when passing through sieves.According to reference [16], fine aggregate particles can pass through a 4.75mm IS sieve at rates ranging from 80% to 100% depending on the zone.In contrast, the passage through a finer 150-micron IS sieve is less successful, with only 0% to 15% of particles making it through.This variation in particle size distribution is a critical consideration in construction and material processing.3.4 Coarse Aggregate IS Sieve 4.75 mm our aggregate is most retained.Only the maximum number of finer materials is allowed by the specification.The term graded aggregate, which describes coarse aggregate according to its nominal size is used such as 12.5mm, 26mm, 20mm, and 40mm, etc. Single-size aggregates are coarse aggregates that mostly consist of particles that fall within one sieve size.[17] 3.5 Rice Husk Ash (RHAsh) RHA usage in concrete is smart because it will make the concrete easier to deal with RHA results from the burning of RHAsh.The rice husk's Evaporable substances, silicate deposits, are gradually lost after consumption.The way the rice husks are arranged affects the debris' characteristics.The consumption temperature, and the consumption period.For example, 25 kilograms of RHA will be produced when 100 kg of husks are utilized in a heater.The study's source for bamboo leaf ash was DISTT UNA HP.To remove excess carbon from the ash, The source provided one metric ton of bamboo leaf, which was dried in the sun.torched outside for two hours, and then burned for two hours at 600 degrees Celsius.This material was discovered should consist of silica and be an amorphous substance.[18] Utilizing bamboo leaf ash as a cement additive can help lower cement production costs, environmental risks, and waste pollution from bamboo leaves that have been left 6 lying around.As a result, it was decided to explore the properties of cement-based mortar and paste containing BLAsh.One of the ideas that have gained traction is the use of alternative, non-traditional local building materials, including the potential use of various agricultural waste and residues as a partial or complete replacement for traditional building materials.Agricultural wastes can be exploited as a potential resource or a replacement material in the construction industry in nations where agricultural waste is released in large quantities.
The preparation process of Bamboo leaf ash (BLA) Leaves of Bamboo tree Bamboo leaves dried in Sun Light Open-air burning Bamboo Leaves Final Product -Bamboo Leaves Ash   Water is a critical in the composition of concrete as it plays a vital role in facilitating the chemical reaction between cement and water.The quality and quantity of water in the mix must be meticulously managed, as they are instrumental in the formation of the cement gel responsible for providing construction materials with their requisite strength.While the quality of cement and aggregates is often subject to rigorous scrutiny, the significance of water quality is often overlooked.Therefore, it is imperative to address the purity and quality of water to ensure the integrity and strength of the resulting concrete structures.

Plasticizer
Fosroc Contrast SP430 DIS is a chloride-free superplasticizing admixture containing specific sulfated naphthalene polymers.When mixed with water, it forms a cloudy solution and effectively disperses cement particles in concrete mixes.This dispersion enhances water content management and, notably, reduces the required water amount.The exceptional water reduction capabilities of SP430 DIS lead to significant strength improvements in concrete [31].This feature is particularly advantageous for precast concrete applications, as it accelerates early strength development and allows for the earlier removal of formwork without the need to increase cement content.This Plasticizer SP430 DIS is a high-performance admixture that enhances concrete properties by optimizing water content, resulting in impressive strength gains for a wide range of concrete applications,

Data Analysis and Comparison:
Data from tests are statistically analysed to determine significant differences (Morgan & White, 2019).Results are compared with the control mix to evaluate the impact of BLA and RHA (Harris & Clark, 2017).Various ash replacement levels are examined to find optimal proportions (Lee & Turner, 2020).

Conclusion and Recommendations:
Conclusions are drawn about the suitability of BLA and RHA as partial cement replacements (Anderson & Smith, 2018).Recommendations include optimizing ash content and exploring additional techniques (e.g., admixtures, chemical activators) (Wilson et al., 2020).[22]

MIX DESIGN DEFINITION
The process of selecting the right elements for concrete and finding out how to balance them so that a thing has a minimal degree of robustness and endurance while remaining as reasonably priced as possible is known as mix design.7.1.Properties of Adaptability: 7.1.1Pozzolanic Activity: Pozzolanic properties are inherent in both rice husk ash (RHA) and bamboo leaf ash (BLA).These materials have a high content of amorphous silica and can react with calcium hydroxide in the presence of water to create new cementitious compounds.This unique quality augments their versatility as potential substitutes for a portion of traditional cement in various applications.[23]

Strength Development:
The adaptability of BLA and RHA depends on the specific mix design and the curing conditions.They can contribute to the long-term strength of concrete when used as partial replacements.However, initial strength may be lower, and the concrete may require a longer curing period.7.1.3Durability: BLA and RHA can improve the durability of concrete due to their ability to reduce the permeability of the material.This property is advantageous in resisting the ingress of harmful ions and increasing resistance to corrosion.

Workability:
The adaptability of these materials also hinges on maintaining the workability of concrete.It's essential to ensure that the inclusion of BLA and RHA does not significantly affect the concrete's ease of placement and finishing.The mix design for concrete with BLA and RHA as partial replacements involves careful consideration of factors such as the desired strength, workability, and durability.The mix process should involve optimizing the proportions of cement, BLA, RHA, aggregates, and water.Various trial mixes and tests may be required to achieve the desired properties.7.1.6Literature Support: Reviewing existing literature is crucial for your research.Prior studies have shown that BLA and RHA can be effective in enhancing the properties is substitute for cement.It has been discovered that using these materials can improve durability, lower hydration heat, and lower the carbon footprint of producing concrete.

Mix Proportion.
Confirming to IS 10262-2019 Mix design of M30 grade was prepared.The assumed water-cement ratio is 0.4.The table below shows the mix proportions and quantities of materials in cubic meters.

Mix Preparation
To mix the materials sequentially, implements such as trowels, shovels, and trays are employed.First, the powder ingredients (cement, fine aggregates, rice husk ash, bamboo leaf ash) are thoroughly combined.Then we included coarse aggregate.We prepared concrete mix by gradually adding plasticizer and water after ensuring that all the components were thoroughly dry and combined.[24] 7.2.1 Slump Cone Test Workability in concrete refers to how easy it is to mix, move, place, and compact.The "slump test" is a common way to measure workability by assessing how much freshly mixed concrete slumps when a mold is removed.A higher slump indicates better workability.This test can be done in both laboratory and field settings, with lab tests for research and quality control and field tests to ensure concrete meets workability standards during construction.Workability is a critical factor in successful construction projects..

Test for Compaction Factor
The upper hopper is filled to the full with the sample of concrete that will be analysed.The lower hopper is filled with concrete once the trap door has been released.The bottom of the trap door for Hopper then opens enabling the concrete to enter the cylinder while doing so.When opening the trap door, the concrete in the case of a dry mix will probably not fall.In this situation, it might be essential to poke the concrete with a rod just a little bit to get it moving.The extra cement that is still over the cylinder's top level is then cut off with the use of plane stakes.The cylinder's exterior is cleaned, and then the concrete is filled.[  Concrete compressive strength was tested with bamboo leaf ash (BLA) and rice husk ash (RHA) used as partial cement replacements, up to 10%.After 28 days, standard cement met the intended strength of 33.08 MPa, while the BLA & RHA mixes at 10% and 15% replacement levels did not.However, both the BLA & RHA 10% and 15% mixes reached a characteristic strength of 25 MPa by day 28, with specific compressive strengths of 31.47MPa and 28.88 MPa, respectively.[26] On day 28, the compressive strength of BLA, RHA 5%, 10%, and 15% had dropped by 4.27%, 4.86%, 16.65%, and 27.76% in comparison to the standard Portland cement control mix.This suggests that the compressive strength of concrete containing BLA & RHA decreases as BLA & RHA concentrations increase.The high replacement of BLA & RHA, the 5%, 10%, and 15% reduction in cement content per cubic meter of concrete from the normal concrete mix, as well as the delayed pozzolanic reaction, are the causes of the loss in compressive strength.[27] The 5% RHA and BLA average compressive strengths were 30.68 MPa and 28.98 MPa, respectively, on day 28.This result exceeds the 35.08 MPa value of the control mix.Due to the development of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) after extended periods of hydration, BLA contains more silicon dioxide than OPC.The compressive strength's standard deviation is shown by the figures at the top of the bar graphs.In comparison to the original control sample, the proportional increase for the 28th-day compressive strength test at 5% 1.84%, and 0.12% of replacements were made, whereas, at 10% and 15% BLA substitutes, the percentage reduction was 3.24% and 4.45%.The presence of calcium (CaO), helps build calcium silicate hydrate, which has a C-H-S link.and silica (SiO2), which makes up 65.66% of the ash, may have helped to the increase in strength.The strongest material was discovered when the 28-day curing age showed up, and 10% BLA replacement of minerals was used.. Perhaps the most effective is C-S-H.[28]

Conclusion:
Based on experimental research, BLAsh & RHAsh was used in concrete construction as a cement alternative, and the following finding was drawn.The replacement of cement with BLA and RHA had an impact on the workability of concrete, leading to a decrease in workability and an increase in setting time.
Additionally, the consistency-related water percentage soundness of the cement paste was affected by this replacement On day 28, concrete.The intended mean strength (33.5 MPa) is reached with partial cement replacements up to 5%, and day 28 compressive strength measurements for the two percentages.
Relative to the control mix, partial cement replacements improved by 1.84% and 0.12%, respectively, whereas the density fell as BLA RHA replacement increased.When cured for 28 days, concrete with a 5% RHA replacement showed higher cylindrical compressive strength than uncured concrete.This suggests that extended curing periods can lead to superior results when utilizing a 5% replacement of RHA.When cured for 28 days, concrete with 5% RHA had a higher cylindrical compressive strength than uncured concrete.We will achieve a superior result for a long-day curing period with 5% replacement.

Fig 1 :
Fig 1: Rice Husk Ash (RHAsh)A leftover RHA from an open-field fire.The substance was thoroughly homogenized and set up under two circumstances.Natural RHA (NRHA): The only preparations made to the ash were drying, homogenizing, and packing it for easier transit to the lab.RHA that has been pulverized for one hour in a laboratory ball mill for optimization purposes after drying and homogenization[32].

Fig 10 :
Fig 10: Flexural Strength Test Note 1 of m3 concrete costs INR 5555.07 without RHA, compared to INR 5309.67 with RHA, for a total reduction of INR 245.4 (4.417%) for 1 m 3 of concrete.P. Padma Rao et al. conducted a study on the use of Rice Husk Ash as an admixture in concrete, in combination with the

Table 4 :
BLAsh Physical Properties 3.7 WATER Compressive strength tests are conducted at various curing ages to assess concrete strength (Thomas et al., 2021).x Workability is evaluated through slump cone or flow table tests (Smith & Johnson, 2019).x Durability is assessed via resistance to sulphate assault, water absorption, and chloride ion penetration tests (Robinson et al., 2018).[21] x Testing and Evaluation: x

Table 6 :
Test on Hardened Concrete