Influence of different processing methods on the pozzolanic performance of sugarcane bagasse ash

Sugarcane bagasse ash is obtained as a by-product from cogeneration combustion boilers in sugar industries. Previous studies have reported that the use of sugarcane bagasse ash as supplementary cementitious material in the concrete can improve its properties. The utilization of bagasse ash has been constrained because of inadequate understanding of the material and lack of suitable processing methodology for use in a large scale. Processing methods significantly influence the pozzolanic activity of any supplementary cementitious material. Proper assessment of pozzolanic activity and processing methodology of bagasse ash were not investigated in earlier research studies. This paper describes a study that involves pozzolanic performance evaluation and microstructural characterization of sugarcane bagasse ash for use as pozzolanic material in concrete. A comprehensive evaluation of pozzolanic activity of sugarcane bagasse ash based on different processing methods including burning, grinding, complete removal of coarse fibrous particles by sieving and combinations of these methods were examined in this study. Suitable processing methodology to attain maximum pozzolanic activity of sugarcane bagasse ash with minimum level of processing is described in this paper.