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Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020, 5534-5537 5534  
  

www.etasr.com Bheel et al.: Effect of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash and Lime Stone Fines on the Mechanical Properties of … 

 

Effect of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash and Lime Stone 

Fines on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete 
 

Naraindas Bheel 

Department of Civil Technology 
H.C.S.T 

Hyderabad, Pakistan 

naraindas04@gmail.com 

Abdul Samad Memon 

Department of Civil Technology 
H.C.S.T 

Hyderabad, Pakistan 

samad.memon105@gmail.com 

Imdad Ali Khaskheli 

Department of Civil Technology 
H.C.S.T 

Hyderabad, Pakistan 

imdadali961@gmail.com 

Noor Muhammad Talpur 

Department of Civil Technology 

H.C.S.T 
Hyderabad, Pakistan 

mirnoor2018@gmail.com 

Sher Muhammad Talpur 

Department of Civil Technology 

H.C.S.T 
Hyderabad, Pakistan 

shermohd168@gmail.com 

Muhammad Awais Khanzada 

Department of Civil Technology 

H.C.S.T 
Hyderabad, Pakistan 

awais.khanzada145@gmail.com 
 

Abstract—Cement production releases huge amounts of carbon 
dioxide having a significant impact on the environment while also 

having huge energy consumption demands. In addition, the 

disposal and recovery of natural concrete components can lead to 

environmental degradation. The use of waste in concrete not only 

reduces cement production, but it also reduces energy 

consumption. The aim of this study is to evaluate the properties 
of fresh and hardened concrete by partially replacing cement 

with sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) and limestone fines (LSF). In 

this investigation work the cement was replaced with SCBA ash 

and LSF by 0% (0% SCBA+ 0% LSF), 5% (2.5% SCBA+ 2.5% 

LSF), 10% (5% SCBA+ 5% LSF), 15% (7.5% SCBA+ 7.5% 

LSF) and 20% (10% SCBA+ 10% LSF) by weight of cement. In 

this regard, a total of 60 samples of concrete specimens were 
made with mix proportion of 1:1.5:3 with 0.56 water-cement 

ratio. Cube specimens were tested for compressive strength and 

cylindrical specimens were used for determining splitting tensile 

strength at 7 and 28 days respectively. The optimum result 

displayed that the crushing strength and split tensile strength 

increased by 10.33% and 10.10% while using 5% SCBA+ 5% 

LSF as a substitute for cement in concrete after the 28
th
 day. The 

slump value of concrete declined as the content of SCBA and LSF 
increased. 

Keywords-limestone fines; sugarcane bagasse ash; cement 

replacement; enhance strength and reduce environmental issues   

I. INTRODUCTION  

Concrete is a man-made construction material, which is 
most commonly used for the construction of various civil 
engineering structures [1-3]. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) 
concrete is used in numerous structural applications and it is 
favorable for normal construction projects. However, due to 
some of its limitations, certain requirements have been difficult 
to satisfy especially in terms of strength and durability 
regarding complex structures. The need for the development of 
high-strength and high-performance concrete has extensively 

increased in order to meet the requirements for advanced and 
complex structures [4]. The development of High-Strength 
Concrete (HSC) requires a large amount of cement and the 
production of cement is considered as the most energy-
intensive component for the production of concrete [5]. CO2 
emissions during the production of cement are an 
environmental concern. It is a well-known fact that 
approximately one ton of CO2 is released into the environment 
through one-ton production of OPC cement. Moreover, cement 
manufacturing is responsible for 5% to 7% of CO2 emissions 
from industrial sources [6]. Without compromising the 
performance of the concrete structures, the use of Portland 
cement needs to be reduced in order to reduce CO2 emissions 
related to cement production while the sustainability of 
construction needs to be taken into consideration [7-9]. Partial 
substitutions of cement by a combination of cement replacing 
materials (CRMs) are advantageous not only from the 
economic point of view but also for their mechanical and 
microstructural characteristics [10]. The use of CRMs into 
concrete has gained popularity with emphasis on increasing the 
service life of concrete structures [11]. Many CRMs are 
commercially available and can be used in concrete. Some of 
the most common materials are sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) 
[12, 13], limestone fines (LSF), rice husk ash (RHA) [14-16], 
silica fume (SF), etc. [17, 18]. In this experimental 
investigation, the combined influence of SCBA and LSF used 
as cement replacement materials in cement concrete was 
determined.  

SCBA is a sugar mill by-product found after burning 
bagasse, which in turn was originated after the sugar extraction 
from sugarcane. It has been tested for volcanic ash properties 
and improvements have been found in mortar and concrete, 
such as in crushing strength, durability, and water resistance in 
certain proportions [19]. LSF were collected from Hyderabad 
and they can be used either as a cementitious material or as fine 
aggregates in concrete mix [20-22]. There are several studies 

Corresponding author: Naraindas Bheel 



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conducted on the strength development of concrete containing 
SCBA and LSF. Authors in [23] determined the influence of 
SCBA on the hardened concrete. Concrete samples were 
prepared with 1:2:4 mix ratio and were tested for compressive 
and split tensile strength at 28 days. The test results advocated 
that the crushing and indirect tensile strength were enhanced by 
7.90% and 14% at 10%. Authors in [24] studied the effects of 
LSF content on concrete’s compressive strength and durability. 
They reported that increasing the amount of LSF in concrete 
enhances strength and decreases permeability. LSF concrete 
having 0.40w/b ratio performed better as compared to 0.50 and 
0.60w/b ratio LSF concrete regarding strength development. 
The porosity and pore size of concrete were significantly 
decreased after 28 days. Authors in [25] observed that the 
crushing and bending strength and permeability related 
properties were improved by using LSF in concrete. 

In the available literature there are a limited number of 
studies available on the individual and combined effects of 
SCBA and LSF as cement replacing material in concrete. 
Several types of mineral admixtures are used in concrete but 
their effects on concrete properties with binary and ternary 
blends are not investigated in satisfying depth. The main aim of 
this paper is to investigate the combined effect of SCBA and 
LSF with cement on fresh and hardened concrete. Since the 
compressive strength of concrete is an important parameter, 
and all other properties of concrete are judged on the basis of 
its compressive strength. In addition, statistical assessment on 
compressive strength of concrete using RSM has been 
performed in order to investigate the effectiveness of each 
material on the basis of its compressive strength. 

II. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 

This research study aimed to determine the fresh, physical 
and hardening properties of concrete by using of 0% (0% 
SCBA+ 0% LSF), 5% (2.5% SCBA+ 2.5% LSF), 10% (5% 
SCBA+ 5% LSF), 15% (7.5% SCBA+ 7.5% LSF) and 20% 
(10% SCBA+ 10% LSF) cement replacement materials in 
concrete. A total of 60 concrete samples of 1:1.5:3 mix 
proportions were prepared (30 cylinders and 30 cubes) with 
0.56 water/cement ratio and were cured for 7 and 28 days.  

TABLE I.  CONCRETE MIXES 

ID 
SCBA + LSF 

(%) 

F.A & CA 

(%) 

Cement 

(%) 

Water-cement 

ratio (%) 

01 0%+0% 100 100 0.56 

02 2.5%+2.5% 100 95 0.56 

03 5%+5% 100 90 0.56 

04 7.5%+7.5% 100 85 0.56 

05 10% +10% 100 80 0.56 

Mix ratio 1:1.5:3 

 

The variables cement (binder), coarse aggregates, fine 
aggregates, and water were considered. SCBA and LSF were 
used as CRMs and the concrete samples were tested on an 
UTM. In this study, concrete cubes (100mm×100mm×100mm) 
ware cast and tested for compressive strength. Similarly, 
cylinders (200mm×100mm) were tested for splitting tensile 
strength. Moreover, the concrete specimens were tested for 
water absorption and concrete density after 28 days. Three 
concrete samples were cast for each ratio, and the mean of the 

samples was considered as the ultimate result. The study was 
conducted in a laboratory of the Department of Civil 
Technology, H.C.S.T Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan [26, 27]. 

III. MATERIALS USED 

A. Cement 

In this investigational study, OPC was utilized with 33% 
normal consistency, and initial and final setting time of 46min 
and 160min respectively. 

B. Fine and Coarse Aggregates 

Hill sand was used as fine aggregates that passed through 
#4 sieves and crushed stones having 20mm in size were used as 
coarse aggregates. These aggregates were collected locally in 
the region of Hyderabad. 

C. Limestone Fines (LSF) 

The LSF were collected from Hyderabad. After collecting, 
they were sieved through #300 sieves to obtain fine powder 
form and then they were utilized as cementitious material in 
concrete mixes. 

D. Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) 

SCBA was collected from Matiari Sugar Mill. After 
collecting, it was dried under the atmosphere and the dried ash 
was sieved through #300 sieves to obtain the desired ash. This 
desired ash was utilized as cement replacement in concrete. 

E. Water 

Drinking water was used. 

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

A. Slump Test 

Slump test was studied based on slump losses using a 
standard slump cone in accordance with ASTM C 143-05. At 
0% SCBA and 0% LSF, the maximum concrete slump is 
65mm, and at 10% SCBA and 10% LSF, the minimum slump 
of fresh concrete is 29mm. The slump value reduced as the 
amount of SCBA and LSF increased as shown in Figure 1. 

 

 
Fig. 1.  Slump test results 

B. Density of Concrete 

The concrete samples were used to analyze the density of 
concrete with addition of several ratios of SCBA and LSF by 



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weight of cement on the 28
th
 day. The maximum value of 

2380kg/m
3
 was noted at 0% SCBA + 0% LSF and the 

minimum value of 2290kg/m
3
 at 10% SCBA + 10% LSF after 

28 days. The density of concrete reduced as the SCBA and LSF 
content increased as shown in Figure 2. 

 

 
Fig. 2.  Density of concrete 

C. Water Absorption  

The concrete samples were used to analyze the water 
absorption of concrete with addition of several ratios of SCBA 
and LSF by weight of cement at the 28

th
 day. It was recorded 

maximum (4.30%) at 10% SCBA + 10% LSF and minimum 
2.50% at 0% SCBA + 0% LSF after 28 days. The water 
absorption of concrete augmented with increasing content of 
SCBA and LSF as shown in Figure 3. 

 

 
Fig. 3.  Water absorption of concrete 

D. Compressive Strength 

The cubical samples were checked for analyzing 
compressive strength of concrete. The optimum crushing 
strength was increased to 8.96% and 10.33% at 5% SCBA + 
5% LSF and it was decreased by 9.80% and 6.40% at 10% 
SCBA + 10% LSF after 7 days and 28 days respectively as 
shown in Figure 4. 

E. Split Tensile Strength 

The cylindrical samples were checked for split tensile 
strength of concrete with several percentages of LSF and 
SCBA. The optimum indirect tensile strength was augmented 

by 8.20% and 10.10% at 5% SCBA + 5% LSF and was 
reduced by 9.84% and 4.04% at 10% SCBA + 10% LSF after 7 
and 28 days respectively as displayed in Figure 5. 

 

 
Fig. 4.  Compressive strength of concrete 

 
Fig. 5.  Split tensile strength of concrete 

V. CONCLUSIONS 

The basic aim of this study was the utilization of SCBA and 
LSF as cement replacements in concrete and to determine their 
effect on the fresh and hardened concrete properties. From this 
research study, the following conclusions can be drawn: 

• At 0% SCBA and 0% LSF, the concrete slump is maximum 
(65mm), and at 10% SCBA and 10% LSF, the slump of 
fresh concrete is minimum (29mm). Moreover, the slump 
value reduced as the amount of SCBA and LSF increased. 

• The density of concrete was maximum (2380kg/m
3
) at 0% 

SCBA + 0% LSF and minimum (2290kg/m
3
) at 10% 

SCBA+10% LSF after 28 days. The density of concrete 
reduced as the SCBA and LSF content increased. 

• Water absorption of concrete was maximum (4.30%) at 
10% SCBA + 10% LSF and minimum (2.50%) at 0% 
SCBA+0% LSF after 28 days. The water absorption of 
concrete increased as the amount of SCBA and LSF 
increased. 



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• The optimum crushing strength increased by 8.96% and 
10.33% at 5% SCBA + 5% LSF and decreased by 9.80% 
and 6.40% at 10% SCBA + 10% LSF after 7 and 28 days 
respectively. 

• The optimum indirect tensile strength increased by 8.20% 
and 10.10% at 5% SCBA + 5% LSF and reduced by 9.84% 
and 4.04% at 10% SCBA + 10% LSF after 7 and 28 days 
respectively. 

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