Suitability of Sugar Waste in Structural Concrete

Abstract

A major challenge for our society is the protection of the environment. Some of the important issues are the reduction in the consumption of energy and natural raw materials, as well as the increase in consumption of waste materials. The use of molasses from sugarcane industry in construction, as alternative to chemical admixtures (water reducing admixtures), has strong potential. The use of molasses preserves natural resources and reduces the space required for the disposal of sugarcane industry in other purposes. It is estimated that India alone contributes 5-8 million tons of sugarcane waste. A solution for excess waste production would be the utilization of molasses together with an improvement in the final quality of concrete. It might be an important breakthrough for our society in our attempt towards sustainable development. Much research on the uses of molasses has been performed during the last few decades. In fact, most of them showed that the molasses is adequate for use as structural concrete although volume changes in and durability performance of molasses in comparison with water retaining admixtures are still being debated and researched. The aim of this study is to determine the suitability of using molasses in structural concrete based on its strength, stiffness, dimensional stability and durability. Studies were carried out on a cement paste, three different types of mortar mixes and on the three different concrete mixes, with and without the use of molasses. In present work the molasses was collected from Sir ShadiLal Enterprises Limited’ (SSEL), Shamli, Uttar Pradesh. The effects of different dosages level 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00, 4.00, 5.00 and 6.00 % of the molasses by weight of cement were studied for standard consistency, setting time, water reduction behaviour and workability in fresh concrete. The studies were also carried out for 3 day, 7 day and 28 day compressive strength of the mortar for the dosage level 0, 0.10, 0.30, 0.50 and 0.60 % of molasses by weight of cement. The effect of molasses on different concrete mix under same workability conditions was also carried out. The studies were carried out for 3 day, 7 day and 28 day compressive strength and split tensile strength of the concrete mix M20, M30 and M35 for the dosage level of 0, 0.10, 0.30, 0.50 and 0.60 % of molasses by weight of cement. The test result indicates that molasses acts as accelerator up to 0.50 % dose and then retarder. Also it is highly a water reducer agent. The early (3rd and 7th day) compressive and split tensile strength of the concrete and mortar mix with molasses showed considerable decline in strength as compared with the control sample. The compressive strength of mortar and concrete after 28th day gets increased using 0-0.50 % of dose of molasses but the most favourable is 0.30 % of molasses by weight of cement.