Activation of bagasse ash in cement using different techniques

This paper reports the results of an investigation, in which bagasse ash was activated using different techniques. Bagasse ash was activated mechanically by grinding to 250, 360 and 420 m²/kg Blaine surface areas, and chemically by mixing bagasse ash with two alkalis, namely potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide, at different concentrations. Samples were tested for compressive strength at the ages of 3, 7 and 28 days. Both these methods enhanced the reactivity of bagasse ash. The results indicated that an increase in the fineness of ash resulted in increased strength development and the fineness must be greater than that of the cement to achieve better performance. Alkali activation of bagasse ash led to increased strength development but the strength was lower than that of the control mortar. The test results demonstrate that for high ultimate strength, mechanical activation was more beneficial. Less beneficial effects were found in the case of the chemical activation of the bagasse ash used.