Multiscale Structural and Microstructural Investigation of Ternary Blends of Sawdust Ash and Sponge Gourd Ash in Concrete
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1008-5341Keywords:
Pozzolanic Activity, Sawdust Ash (SDA), Sponge Gourd Ash (SGA), Sustainable Concrete, Ternary Blended ConcreteAbstract
Concrete production contributes significantly to global CO₂ emissions due to the energy-intensive manufacture of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), necessitating the development of sustainable cementitious alternatives. This study evaluates the performance of a novel agro-waste-based ternary supplementary cementitious material (SCM) system comprising sawdust ash (SDA) and sponge gourd ash (SGA) as partial replacements for OPC in concrete. A total OPC replacement level of 15% was adopted, with SGA contents ranging from 2.5% to 12.5% and SDA constituting the balance, along with a control mix containing 100% OPC. Fresh, mechanical, and microstructural properties were investigated up to 180 days of curing. The results revealed continuous strength development in all mixes, confirming sustained pozzolanic activity. At 180 days, the control concrete attained a compressive strength of 35.70 MPa, while the blended concretes achieved strengths ranging from 29.54 to 33.10 MPa. Among the ternary blends, the 2.5% SGA mix recorded the highest compressive strength of 32.40 MPa, representing only a 9.2% reduction relative to the control despite a 15% reduction in OPC content. Corresponding 180-day splitting tensile and flexural strengths ranged from 2.81–3.07 MPa and 3.01–3.56 MPa, respectively. Strong predictive relationships were established between compressive strength and splitting tensile strength (R² = 0.8739–0.9133), compressive strength and flexural strength (R² = 0.9792–0.9979), and splitting tensile strength and flexural strength (R² = 0.8874–0.9770). SEM analysis revealed progressive pore refinement and matrix densification as the curing age increased.
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