CHARACTERISATION AND USE OF CASSAVA PEEL ASH IN CONCRETE PRODUCTION

Abstract

In this work, the utilization of cassava-peel-ash (CPA) which is an agricultural solid waste derivative as a supplementary-cementitous-materials in the production of concrete is carried out in this study; this is essential because it enhances the re-use and re-cycling of solid wastes and its derivatives which will help in achieving eco-efficient, eco-friendly and sustainable engineered infrastructure. The CPA is used to replace specified ratio of cement ranging from 0% to 40% at the hydration period of 3, 7, 28, 60 and 90days respectively to obtain a concrete mixture of coarse and fine aggregates, water, cement and CPA. The Characterization is of CPA is evaluated with respect to the physicochemical properties of CPA and mechanical properties of the concrete mix at fresh or hardened state. The results of compressive strength for 5%-replacement range from 12.56N/mm2 to 33.26N/mm2 for the varying hydration periods as against 13.93N/mm2 to 35.23N/mm2 for the control-test (0%-replacement). The result of flexural strength for 5%-replacement range from 3.33N/mm2 to 15.17N/mm2 for the varying hydration periods as against 4.67N/mm2 to 16.80N/mm2 for the control. The mechanical properties results indicate that lower strength is obtained at early hydration periods but the strength increases with longer hydration period; while the strength decreases with increased ratio of the CPA. The pozzolanic-activity-index (PAI) of CPA is 75.8% which is an indication that it has high pozzolanic properties. From the results, the optimum combination level of 5%-10% replacement of the cement by CPA can be used to produce a better and more desirable concrete.