Size Effect Study of Sawdust Ash-Concrete under Compressive Load

Abstract

This study investigated the size effect phenomenon for plain-concrete and concrete inclusion with 10% sawdust ash (SDA) as partial replacement of cement. A geometrically similar plain-concrete and sawdust ash-concrete cylinder of different sizes were cast. Compressive strength was evaluated at the age of 28 and 90 days. Bažant size effect law was used to investigate the possible existence of size effect. Results from the test showed the existence of size effect in both plain-concrete and sawdust ash-concrete and followed closely the size effect law proposed by Bažant. The size effect was observed to be more for sawdust ash-concrete as compare to concrete with pure cement. Further, the size effect of sawdust ash-concrete is more pronounce at the age of 28 days as compared to 90 days strength.