Pore size distribution of mortars produced with agroindustrial waste

Sugarcane bagasse ash sand (SBAS) is an agroindustrial waste from the sugarcane industry. The aim of this study is to analyse the differences between the pore size distribution of mortars produced by partially replacing natural sand with SBAS. The following techniques are used: X-ray computed tomography, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and petrographic analysis. The tomography results show that mortars produced with SBAS contain fewer pores in the ranges 60-80 μm and 100-300 μm than mortar without SBAS. In particular, SBAS reduces macropores larger than 0.1 μm. An SBAS content of 30% replacing fine sand contributes to a 44% reduction of pores larger than 0.1 μm. The results show that SBAS incorporation changes the pore size distribution without affecting the porosity of the mortars.