ABSTRACT
This study investigates the potential of using agricultural waste ashes, specifically Plantain Leaf Ash (PLA) and Bamboo Leaf Ash (BLA), as partial replacements for Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC). The aim is to promote sustainability in concrete production by utilizing these ashes, which have pozzolanic properties, thereby mitigating the environmental impact associated with cement manufacturing. In this study, five samples concrete mixtures were prepared for each type of ash with replacement levels of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, maintaining a constant water-to-cement ratio of 0.55. Various standard tests, including slump tests, compressive strength tests, and sieve analysis, were conducted to assess the properties of these concrete mixtures. Compressive strength tests were performed at intervals of 3, 7, and 28 days to observe the strength development over time. Results indicated that 5% replacements levels of PLA and BLA showed better results as compared to the increasing percentages, the results indicated that the 5% replacement level of PLA yielded the best results compared to higher replacement levels, showing compressive strength values closest to the control mix and maintaining structural integrity while enhancing workability. The 28-day compressive strength for the 5% PLA mix was 26.09 N/mm², compared to 27.53 N/mm² for the control mix, while the 5% BLA mix achieved 23.13 N/mm². Although increasing the percentage of PLA and BLA generally improved workability, it led to a reduction in compressive strength. These findings suggest that both PLA and BLA can serve as effective alternatives to traditional cement, contributing to more sustainable construction practices by reducing the reliance on OPC.
