Effect of Volcanic Ash as Partial Replacement of Cement in Concrete Subject to Aggressive Chemical Environemnt

Abstract

- Presently researches all over the world is concentrating on alternative materials as partial cement replacement in concrete production. The use of pozzolanic material in concrete is becoming increasingly important because of the need for more sustainable cementing products. Volcanic ash is a form of natural pozzolan and has a chemical composition comparable to other supplementary cementitious materials. In this paper, volcanic ash was used to partially replace cement in the ratio of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by volume in concrete and cured in H2SO4 and MgSO4 environment. 28-day target strength was adopted and concrete tested at 7, 14, 28 and 56 days’ hydration period. Specific gravity, bulk density and setting time test on volcanic ash were carried out. Fresh concrete tests such as slump and compacting factor test were carried out along-side hardened concrete tests like compressive strength and split tensile strength. The result shows that the maximum compressive strength at 28 days was at 0% control concrete, while at 56 days the maximum strength was observed at 10% replacement of cement with volcanic ash and it is considered as optimum percentage replacement.