Comparing the pozzolanic behavior of sugar cane bagasse ash to amorphous and crystalline SiO2

Abstract The present paper aims to clarify the pozzolanic behavior of sugar cane bagasse ash-SCBA by comparing it to amorphous and crystalline silica. It is shown that calcium silicate hydrate is formed in lime solution with SCBA but the reaction is slow and does not consume all the material. Comparing its results with the obtained in tests with silica fume and with crushed quartz show a better agreement with the latter. Characterization of cement pastes shows 20% of cement replacement by sugar cane bagasse ash leads to only a minor reduction in the amount of calcium hydroxide formed. This behavior is also closer to the observed in quartz than in silica fume. The results suggest SCBA should be used as a replacement for inert constituents in cement composites rather than pozzolanic addition. Analysis of the microstructure of the cement pastes revealed the presence of calcium hydroxide in samples prepared with partial replacement by silica fume, quartz and sugar cane bagasse ash. The presence of this phase in the sample prepared with silica fume was attributed to agglomeration of the particles that affected the reactivity of this material.