La Salle Green Hills, Mandaluyong, Philippines

May 2019

Utilizing Bagasse Ash as an Admixture and Partial Replacement to

Portland Cement to Increase Compressive Strength

Carlo Tablante1*, Vincent Salvador 2*, Pio Olivas3*, Seb Bidar 4*, Loyd Soco 5*

1
La Salle Green Hills
2
De La Salle University
3
Universal Robina Corporation
4
Villa Maria Clara
1
carlo.tablante120242@my.lsgh.edu.ph, 2 vincent.salvador170370@my.lsgh.edu.ph,
3
pio.olivas070166@my.lsgh.edu.ph, 4 saghar.bidar070540@my.lsgh.edu.ph,
5
loyd.soco160527@my.lsgh.edu.ph

Abstract: Sugarcane Bagasse ash (SCBA) is the by-product of burnt sugar

canes that is partly used as fuel. It is an untapped resource which is considered a
waste, that creates a disposal problem, and is usually thrown on landfills due to its
negative effects to the environment. However, previous researchers discovered that
its pozzolanic properties can be used as a substitute to cement. The study aims to
utilize bagasse ash as an admixture to concrete and a partial replacement to
cement in portland cement mixtures to increase compressive strength. The
researchers obtained the Bagasse ash from Universal Robina Corporation in their
sugar mill plant from San Fernando Pampanga. Also, the researchers utilized
homemade wooden moulds with dimensions 6x6x6 inches with a total volume of
216 in . The controlled group had a ratio of 1:2:4 (Cement:Sand:Gravel), the first
3

experimental group had a ratio of 1:2:4:2(Cement:Sand:Gravel:Bagasse Ash), then

followed by the second experimental group with a 10% replacement of cement, with
the initial ratio of 1:2:4 (Cement:Sand:Gravel), with bagasse ash. The concrete
cubes would then be dried for one day then submerged in water for water curing for
seven days. After water curing, the cement samples would undergo compressive
strength testing to determine the strength of the blocks. The findings of the study
determined that bagasse ash does not serve to strengthen concrete mixtures.
However, it could still serve to be a partial replacement to cement when utilized in
minor construction details reducing the cement used as well as the carbon footprint
of cement

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May 2019

Key Words: bagasse ash; cement; concrete mix; waste utilization; compressive
strength

1. INTRODUCTION effective as a volume of ash may seep

In Sugarcane industries, Bagasse out and affect the environment as well
is a major industrial waste residue after as our health.
the milling process. Bagasse is the This research would seek to
byproduct of Sugarcane Saccharum address two of the sustainable
officinarum which is produced after the development goals of the United
extraction of all the possible economical Nations. Goal 9 which is to build
sugar from it and is a fibrous residue resilient infrastructure, promote
after juice extraction and crushing of sustainable industrialization and foster
the sugarcane (Idris, 2015). Nowadays innovation as  well as goal 12 which is
it is a common procedure to reuse the to ensure sustainable consumption and
sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as a biomass production patterns. These goals would
fuel in boilers for the purpose of ensure sustainable development.
producing power in sugar factories. Rapid urbanization has made it
Once used as fuel, it leaves Bagasse intolerable to locate suitable sites for
ash as the aftermath of burning the new landfills. (Rajput, 2016). Bagasse
remains of the sugarcane (Bagasse) in ash is harmful on its own and has
a boiler. adverse effects to the environment and
Bagasse ash could prove to be to humans. It is harmful to the
detrimental if not disposed of properly. environment as the ash is scattered
The disposal of this material is already over lakes and oceans as most
causing environmental problems not industries are by these bodies of water
only near the sugarcane factories but and is just dumped there. It is harmful
the whole world (Hailu, 2012). There to humans as well as the dust can
are existing solutions to these cause chronic lung condition and
problems, one of which are mostly used pulmonary fibrosis. There is an average
for wastes such as sludge. Currently, of 33% increase in the demand of
sugarcane Bagasse ash is disposed of in primary energy, in the timeframe of
land fills which is not completely 2010-2035, and is projected that

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May 2019

energy related CO2 discharge will In 2015, it generated 2.8 bn tons of

increase by 20%. This will adhere to the CO2, equivalent to 8% of the global
consistent increase of the global total (Netherlands Environmental
temperature of 35 ̊ (Emdadi et al., Assessment Agency, 2015). Due to this
2014). So, there is a great need to fact, lowering the concrete production
reuse Bagasse ash. would greatly reduce Carbon emissions.
One method that has been The study has, in turn, utilized
practiced to avoid this is by using bagasse ash which would have been a
Bagasse ash to improve some of the waste product lessening the pollution to
properties of water and concrete. the earth. Waste utilization would not
Depending on its incinerating only be economical, but may also result
conditions, the resulting sugarcane to foreign exchange earnings and
Bagasse ash (SCBA) may also contain environmental pollution control
high levels of SiO2 and Al2O3, chemical (Aigbodion, V., 2010). Considering all
compositions that in theory work as affected factors to this research, it
supplementary cementitious material would prove to be highly beneficial
(SCM) in blended cement systems (Idris when bagasse ash, a waste material, is
et al. 2015). recycled.
In the study, the researchers The research was, in turn, limited
would replace cement with bagasse ash to testing the early strength of cement
in order to minimize cost while cubes. The study only tested the effects
strengthening the integrity of the of Sugarcane Bagasse ash as an
cement at the same time. Utilization of admixture at a ratio of one cement, two
Bagasse ash as a partial replacement sand, four gravel, and two Sugarcane
on portland concrete mixture was found Bagasse ash and as a partial
to be a viable technique in the replacement of ten percent of the
preceding literature. The previous cement in the concrete mixture. The
research and studies proved this and researchers recommend future
demonstrated results through the use researchers to keep their water to
of different tests such as compressive, cement ratio constant and not the
thermal conductivity, and water volume of water alone.
absorption. Utilizing bagasse ash in cement
Concrete production has one of has proven to strengthen the cement in
the largest carbon footprint emissions. previous researches. Strengthening

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May 2019

cement is beneficial to the building variable) while the compressive

making it sturdier so that it may
withstand harsh environments.  Doing
so with bagasse ash is economical and
environmentally friendly all the while
cheap since bagasse ash is ;just a
waste material. Thus, the researchers
hypothesize that using sugarcane
Bagasse ash as an Admixture and
Partial Replacement to cement would
increase its compressive strength.
2. METHODOLOGY
The research design used for this
strength of the constructed cube is the
(dependent variable). The controlled
variable of the experiment would be the
regular and standard portland concrete
without the Bagasse ash treatment. In
contrast, the constant variables were
the cement molds, type of cement, and
origin of the cement, sand, gravel as
well as the sugarcane bagasse ash.
The study was conducted in the
researcher’s house in Quezon City. The
location was a conducive place to mix

experiment is an experimental research the components in order to form the

design. It is defined as a systematic and concrete blocks. The proposed

scientific approach to research in which prototype is beneficial to the

the researcher manipulates one or researcher’s community partner Villa

more variables, at the same time Maria Clare due to the housings or

controls and measures any change in infrastructures in the community being

other variables. The experimental poor.

research design is best suited because The researchers obtained the

it is concerned primarily with cause and Bagasse ash from the Universal Robina

effect relationships in studies that Corporation’s sugarcane mill in

involve manipulation or control of the Pampanga. The portland cement, sand,

independent variables (causes) and and gravel was acquired from a

measurement of the dependent hardware store in Quezon City,

variables (effects). Philippines. The mold used had

The objective of the experiment dimensions of 6x6x6 inches and was

is to test the viability of sugarcane constructed by the researchers using

Bagasse ash as an admixture and wooden planks. Numerous measuring

partial replacement to portland cement tools were also prepared in order to

mixtures. The researchers used the measure the cement, sand, gravel and

Sugarcane Bagasse ash (independent sugarcane bagasse ash.

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Table 2.1 Dimensions, ratios, contents, and of the concrete mixture. In order to
number samples per mixture
confirm the effects of sugarcane
Mixtu Cem San Gra S.C. No. No.
re ent d vel B.A. of of bagasse ash in the concrete mixture a
Da Sam test was conducted. The researchers
ys ples prepared nine (9) setups with three (3)
cur
setups being for without sugarcane
ed
Case 0.50 1.0 2.0 0.00 7 3 bagasse ash, while three (3) for
1 6L 12 24 0L sugarcane bagasse ash as an
(1:2:4 L L
admixture, and lastly three (3) setups
:0)
Case 0.39 0.7 1.5 0.78 7 3 for sugarcane bagasse ash as a partial
2 3L 86 72 6L replacement to portland cement.
(1:2:4 L L
The first mixture without
:2)
Case 0. 1.0 2.0 0.05 7 3 sugarcane bagasse ash had a
3 455 120 240 06 L composition of 1 cement:2 sand:4
(0.9:2 4L L L
gravel:0 sugarcane bagasse ash. While
:4:1)
the second mixture with sugarcane

In table 2.1, the amount of bagasse ash as an admixture had a

cement, sand, gravel, sugarcane ratio of1 cement:2 sand:4 gravel:2

bagasse ash, the number of days the sugarcane bagasse ash. The third

samples underwent water curing, and mixture on the contrary, had a

the number of samples per mixture are proportion of 0.9 cement:2 sand:4

displayed. Case 1 is the control group gravel:1 sugarcane bagasse ash.

without sugarcane bagasse ash. Case 2 The researchers utilized

on the other hand, is sugarcane homemade wooden moulds with

bagasse ash as an admixture. Lastly, dimensions 6x6x6 in with a total

case 3 is sugarcane bagasse ash as a volume of 216 in . The concrete mixture

3

partial replacement to Portland cement. would then be dried for one (1) day,

The goal of this research then submerged in water for a total of

investigation was to validate whether or seven (7) days in order to undergo

not Sugarcane Bagasse ash as an cement curing. After the cement curing,

admixture and partial replacement to the specimens underwent a

portland cement would be effective in compressive strength test to determine

strengthening the compressive strength the strength of each blocks.

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May 2019

In order to test the viability of would then be tested using a hydraulic

utilizing sugarcane bagasse ash as an compression machine.
admixture and partial replacement to The research was conducted in
portland cement to increase order to explore the effectivity of
compressive strength, the researchers sugarcane bagasse ash as an admixture
conducted an experiment which served and partial replacement to portland
as the research tool. The cement to increase compressive
experimentation analyzed the strength. The results exhibited by each
compressive strength of each concrete setup will be analyzed and compared to
block through the usage of the one another respectively. This can be
hydraulic compression machine. Also represented through a table displaying
one way ANOVA was used as the the compressive strength (Mpa) of each
statistical tool with regards to proving concrete block.
the research hypothesis. This study does not have ethical
The researchers prepared nine considerations. However since this
(9) wooden moulds with dimensions study uses bagasse ash, the production
6x6x6 inches. The researchers weighed process may be harmful to the Villa
the cement, sand, gravel and Maria Clara community. Exposure to
sugarcane bagasse ash using a bagasse ash can irritate eyes, nose,
weighing scale, in order to obtain the throat and the upper respiratory
exact amount needed in for each system. Silica exposure can lead to lung
mixture. Then the researchers utilized injuries including silicosis and lung
three (3) small empty pails to mix all cancer. The exposure to wet concrete
the components together for each can result in skin irritation or even first,
group. Afterwards, the mixture is placed second, or third-degree chemical burns.
in the wooden moulds and left to dry for So the production of the cement must
one (1) day. After a period of time be done with caution and the proper
when the concrete mixture is dried, the procedures.
researchers submerged each wooden
moulds in water for a total of seven (7) 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The goal of this research
days to undergo cement curing.
investigation is to strengthen the
Subsequently, after the cement curing
concrete mixture in order to lessen the
period the nine (9) wooden moulds
usage of cement.

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May 2019

groups having different water cement

Table 3.1 Compression Strength Test and ratios the target strength is inconsistent
Ratios of the sample
Compression Strength (Mpa) for each setup.

Samples and Ratio Mean Strength One way Anova statistical test
(C:S:G:SCBA) at 7 Days was used. The alpha level utilized was
Control 1:2:4:0 9.3 Mpa
the standard 0.05. The p-value
Admixture 1:2:4:2 1.6 Mpa
computed was less than the alpha level,
Partial Replacement 2.6Mpa
0.9:2:4:1 thus the researches rejected Ho which
is that there is no significant difference
As shown in Table 3.1 is the in the data. According to the results
compression strength results acquired there was a significant difference
through utilizing the hydraulic press. between groups.  
The result displayed that the control Based on the data, Sugarcane
group produced a mean strength of 9.3 Bagasse ash would not strengthen the
Mpa within seven (7) days. The concrete mixture. Although the strength
specified target strength is 25.0 Mpa of the concrete mixture did not
due to value of the water cement ratio improve, it would prove to be a viable
which is 0.6148. replacement to cement to reduce cost
The admixture however, presented a as well as cement usage.
mean strength of 1.6 Mpa within seven
(7) days. This is due to the value of the 4. CONCLUSION
water cement ratio being 0.7916. The The data gathered by the
intended target strength is 15.0 Mpa researchers indicated that bagasse ash
because of its water cement ratio. In does not strengthen cement. However,
contrast, the partial replacement group based on the results it is not yet
exhibited a mean strength of 2.6 Mpa conclusive that case 2 (admixture) and
within seven (7) days. This partly case 3 (partial replacement) will not
because of its corresponding water effectively improve the structural
cement ration which is 0.6832. The integrity due to the limited information.
identified target strength is 20. Mpa In spite of that, substituting cement
due to the water cement ratio. The with bagasse ash can be used in minor
desired target strength for each group structural member or the non-carrying
is the result after twenty eight (28) load members. In addition, the
days of cement curing. Also due to the

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May 2019

produced mixture can be applied as a assistance in obtaining the bagasse

mortar in constructions. ash.
The researchers recommend SK Chairman Adrian Alvarez of
future researches to improve upon the Villa Maria Clara for setting up a panel
current methods applied in measuring to receive our topic.
and calculating the appropriate ratio for Our reactor, Engr. David for
the mix. Also future researchers are giving his critiques on our paper.
recommended to have varying amount
of bagasse ash applied such as 5%, 6. REFERENCES
10%, 15% and etc. In addition, future
Aigbodion, V., Hassan, S., Niyor, T. and G.
researchers are advised to perform a
(2010). Potential Utilization of Solid
comparative strength test so as to Waste (Bagasse Ash). Journal of
acquire a more accurate result. Minerals and Materials
Furthermore, future researchers are Characterization and Engineering.
suggested to allot a seven (7), fourteen Emdadi, Z., Asim, N., Yarmo, M. A.,
(14), twenty one (21) and twenty eight Shamsudin, R., Mohammad, M., &

(28) days of cement curing time in Sopian, K. (2016).Green Material

Prospects for Passive Evaporative
order to establish a more detailed
Cooling Systems: Geopolymers.
result.
Energies, 9(8), 586.
Hailu, B. & Dinku, B. (2012). Application of
5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS sugarcane bagasse ash as a partial
The researcher would like to
cement replacement material.
acknowledge the following people for
Journal of EEA. 29, 1-12.
their continuous support in completing
Idris M K, Eldin K and Yassin E 2015
this paper. Determination of the effects of
Sir Rowell Rosales, our CPA, bagasse ash on the properties of
guided us in the making of this paper. portland cement Journal of Appl. and
Our practitioners; Engr. Miller Industr. Sci. 3 6-11

Cutora, Engr. Joenel Galupino, and Engr. Rajput, R., Gupta, M. (2016). UTILIZATION

Maria Sevilla for offering their expertise OF BAGASSE ASH AS A BRICK

MATERIAL, REVIEW. International
and time on our paper.
Research Journal of Engineering and
Miss Michelle Dimaano of
Technology (IRJET), 3(8), 1983-1986
Universal Robina for offering her

Netherlands Environmental Assessment

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May 2019

Agency. (2015) Trends in Global CO2

Emissions. Retrieved from
http://edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/news_d
ocs/jrc-2016-trends-in-global-co2-
emissions-2016-report-103425.pdf

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One way Anova (Excel)

Compression Test Results (Quantum Company)
Samples undergoing cement curing

7. APPENDICES

Samples after cement curing

Control group

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May 2019

Admixture Group

Partial Replacement Group

Specimen (control) during compression test

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May 2019

Specimen (admixture) during compression test

Specimen (partial replacement)

during compression test

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