Utilization of sugarcane bagasse ashes as filler or pozzolanic material for the cementitious mortar production: a review

ABSTRACT

Sugarcane bagasse burning ashes are alternative renewable materials in the development of sustainable products in civil construction industry. They contain a high percentage of silica, being useful as filler or pozzolanic material. In this context, this work aimed to carry out a prospective study on cementitious mortars containing sugarcane bagasse ashes considering both sand and cement partial replacement. The study accomplished a literature review (articles and patentes) until March 2021. The search for articles was carried out in the Scopus, Web of Science and Scielo databases, and for patents, National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), from Brazil, Public Patents in Latin America and Spain (LATIPAT), United States Patent and Trademark Office, Espacenet and Patentscope. The following keywords were used: mortar, bagasse, ash and sugarcane. For the INPI and LATIPAT databases the same words in Portuguese. Through this search methodology, 427 scientific articles and 12 patents were obtained. After a careful analysis of these documents, 34 articles and no patent relevant to the proposed theme were selected. In these references, sugarcane bagasse ashes were used in replacements of 7.5-40% for sand and 5-20% for cement. The ashes contributed to improve the rheological and mechanical properties and durability of cement mortars, with cement replacements being the most used. The articles highlighted that different types of treatment used for sugarcane bagasse ashes improved their pozzolanicity. The reuse of these agro-industrial wastes is an interesting and promising strategy to contribute to environmental sustainability, in addition to being able to produce civil construction products with superior properties to those without the presence of ashes, and at low cost.

Keywords
Agro-industrial wastes; Mortars; Sand; Cement; Mechanical properties