Abstract:
The performance of bamboo leaf ash (BLA) in sulphate environment has been investigated with
a view to enhancing its effective utilization. In an attempt to convert waste product into useful
material for the construction industry, this research considered the use of bamboo leaf ash as
partial replacement for cement in concrete. The effects of varying percentage replacement on the
compressive strength of concrete in sulphate environment were investigated.
Test specimens to determine the sulphate resistance involved concrete having its cement
components replaced with bamboo leaf ash (BLA) at five (5) levels (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and
20%) on the compressive strength of concrete exposed to varying concentration of sulphates of
magnesium and calcium at four (3) levels each ( 1 %, 3 % and 5 %) and for four exposure
periods (32, 92, 152 and 182 days) after complete immersion in water for 28 days. Using three
(3) replicates in all the test, a total of 480 specimens were cast and tested. The study concluded
that Magnesium sulphate solution at 5% concentration at 182 days exposure had greater effect on
the compressive strength reduction for both plain and BLA blended cement concrete than the
other variables |
