Material Characterization and Optimum Usage of Coal Bottom Ash (CBA) as Sand Replacement in Concrete

Abstract

Recently, the deficiency of natural sand is considered one of the most important thoughtful issues in the construction industry as it is one of the raw materials of concrete. The use of industrial waste by-products as an alternative material in concrete production is one solution to natural sand depletion. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the properties of the concrete containing Coal Bottom Ash (CBA) produced by coal-based power plants as sand replacement material. Initially, physical, chemical, microstructural properties like specific gravity, density, sieve analysis, X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopic were investigated. Then, the optimum replacement of sand with CBA was determined based on the workability, compressive and splitting tensile test. The results displayed that the physical properties of CBA are similar to sand. Moreover, CBA was classified chemically as Class-F ash. It was found that the optimum replacement dosage of CBA with sand is 10% in which achieved the targeted/designed strength. In general, CBA has good potential to be utilized as a sand replacement material.