Prospective of sugarcane bagasse ash for controlling the alkali‐silica reaction in concrete incorporating reactive aggregates.

Sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) is a supplementary material widely used around the world for improving mechanical and durability properties of concrete. Main aim of this study was to examine the potential of SBA for controlling alkali‐silica reaction (ASR) in concrete incorporating reactive aggregates. SBA and reactive aggregates were acquired from local industry and quarry. Mortar bar specimens were cast to investigate various dosages of SBA (i.e., 10, 20, 30, and 40% by cement weight) for mitigating the alkali‐silica reactivity expansion as per ASTM C1260. Petrography analysis of aggregates revealed the presence of deleterious minerals, which are prone to ASR. Strength activity index and thermal analysis results confirmed the pozzolanic activity of SBA. Mortar bar results showed 20 and 40% decrease in ASR expansion for specimens incorporating 10 and 40% of SBA by cement weight, respectively. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy analysis showed no sign of cracks due to ASR for specimens incorporating SBA. The improved behavior of specimens with SBA addition was due to alkali absorption and dilution process leading to low CaO/SiO2 ratio, confirmed through energy disperse X‐ray spectroscopy. Therefore, it can be envisioned that full‐scale implementation of SBA addition in concrete mixtures could mitigate land filling of this by‐product and lead toward the development of eco‐friendly and sustainable technique for controlling the ASR associated damages in concrete structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]