Effects of Seawater for Mixing and Curing on the Compressive Strength of

Concrete Using Sugarcane Bagasse Ash as Replacement

MARBONIE G. BALAGUER
2009-21832
ENGLISH 10 G 1R

Significance of the Study

Concrete is a heterogeneous construction material mainly composed of

water, cement, and aggregates, usually sand and gravel. It has been used in
the construction of buildings and other infrastructures for as early as the
Babylonians and Egyptians time. Concrete can differ from one to the other
depending on the amount and type of its components. One can either alter
the type and amount of the binding materials or the proportion of the
aggregates used. This study focuses on the evaluation of the possible effects
of using seawater during mixing and curing on the compressive strength of
the concrete using Sugarcane Bagasse Ash as an admixture.
One of the most common concrete component that is altered is the
type of binder or cement used. The most common binder used is the Portland
cement. As defined by the American Society for Testing and Materials
(ASTM), it is a hydraulic cement (cement that not only hardens by reacting
with water but also forms a water-resistant product) produced by pulverizing
clinkers (nodular material) consisting essentially of hydraulic calcium
silicates, usually containing one or more of the forms of calcium sulfate as an
inter-ground addition (Federal Highway Administration [FHWA], 2011). This
involves the burning of the Portland cement components in high temperature
changing their original chemical properties.
Due to the high cost in the production of Portland cement and its great
contribution to the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, a number of different
potential substitute for this binder have emerged. Some of these are
industrial by-products sometimes already considered as wastes. Sugarcane
Bagasse Ash (SCBA) is a fiber-rich agricultural waste derived from sugar cane

and alcohol industry. As a way of disposing these wastes, these industries

burned the bagasse ash produced. Due to the continuously increasing cost in
fuel and electricity, certain studies were conducted and had shown that
these refuse could be used as fuel to these production facilities (Aigbodion,
Hassan, Ause, & Nyior, 2010). Another discovery about this refuse focuses on
its composition. On a recent study conducted by Radke (2012), she found out
that the bagasse ash has composition of materials almost the same as that
of a regular cement. She had suggested that bagasse ash could be a
valuable replacement to ordinary cement.
Another component that can identify the concretes properties is the
type of water used. The water to be used in the production of concrete can
contain impurities that can react destructively to the components of the
cement used. It has been researched that exposure of reinforced concrete to
saline water can be detrimental to the concretes performance and
appearance. It is due to the chemical reaction that happened between the
salts of the water and the steel reinforced in the concrete. But certain studies
found out that the use of seawater during the mixing and curing of the
concrete can bring improvement to it. Wegian (2010) found out on his study
that at certain curing periods, the concrete can attain additional strength
from seawater.
The effects of using seawater on concrete needs additional attention
since it is said to be one of the factors on the deterioration of concrete. With
the world facing scarcity on water resources, it is best to explore other
possible substitute on tap water in the production of concrete. Also, since

almost 80% of the earths surface is attributed to ocean and other large
bodies of water, it is evident that these bodies of water directly or indirectly,
through the action of transport media like the wind, affects a great number
of structures (Mishra, 2012). It is also an issue on how to dispose solid
wastes produced in agricultural facilities or industries. Since it has been
proven that bagasse ash produced from sugarcane and alcohol industries has
properties similar to cement, it can be used as a potential replacement to the
commonly used ordinary Portland cement (OPC). With this, another
alternative use of these refuse can be made aside from using it to fuel these
industries.
The study will focus on the effects of using seawater during mixing and
curing on the compressive strength only of the concrete. Also, the study is
not concerned with the proportion and type of aggregates to be used. The
standard procedure for the mix proportion to be prepared will be employed.
If to be proven effective, the use of tap water in construction purposes
can be minimized thus helping in the conservation of water. With this, the
use of water in agricultural means (e.g. irrigation) will be maximized. Also
this study can contribute on the maximization of SCBA, an agricultural
refuse, thus minimizing and disposing the waste properly. With this,
industries involved in the production of concrete can reduce their production
cost since these materials are readily available. Also, the emission of CO 2
during the production of Portland cement can be minimized thus contributing
in the protection of the environment.
References

Mishra, Gopal. (2012). Concrete on Seawater. Retrieved from

http://theconstructor.org/concrete/concrete-in-seawater/843/
Wegian, Falah M. (2010): Effect of seawater for mixing and curing on
structural concrete, The IES Journal Part A: Civil & Structural
Engineering, 3:4, 235-243
Radke, Brittany. (2012). Sugarcane Bagasse Ash Waste. Brazil: UNICAMP
Federal Highway Administration. (2011). Portland cement. Retrieved from
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/materialsgrp/cement.html