Analysing the Effect of Cassava Flour as a Mixture on the Physical, Mechanical, and Durability Properties of High-Strength Concrete

Portland Pozzolanic Cement Cassava Flour Workability Bulk Dry Density Water Absorption.

Authors

  • Marwa Gumma Omer Adam
    marwagummaomer88@gmail.com
    Department of Civil Engineering, Institute for Basic Science, Technology and Innovation, Pan African University Hosted at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi,, Kenya
  • David O. Koteng School of Civil & Resource Engineering, The Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi,, Kenya
  • Joseph Ng'ang'a Thuo Center for Geotechnical Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Nyeri,, Kenya
  • Mohammed Matallah RISAM, University of Tlemcen, BP 230, Tlemcen,, Algeria

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The availability, cost, and environmental impact of chemical admixtures are reduced when natural substitute materials are incorporated into the concrete as an admixture. This paper outlines the findings of a study that looked at the physical characteristics of fresh and hardened concrete made with Portland pozzolanic cement CEM II/B-P blended with cassava flour up to 5% by weight of cement. A low water/binder ratio of 0.35 was used together with a carboxylate-based superplasticizing admixture to produce high strength. In fresh-state concrete, the initial and final setting times, soundness, and consistency were found to increase with increased cassava flour content, whereas the compacting factor and slump were observed to decrease. In the hardened state, compressive strengths were determined at 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90 days, while split tensile and flexural strengths were investigated at 28 days. Similarly, dry density and porosity were also investigated at 28 days. Water absorption was also studied as a potential indicator of durability in hardened concrete. Scanning electron microscopy characterization of cassava flour revealed porous particles of irregular shape. On the other hand, X-ray diffraction imaging showed that the primary chemicals in cassava flour are silicon dioxide (50%), calcium oxide (17%), and aluminium oxide (7%). All of the mixes that incorporated cassava flour were stronger than the control mix, with the 3% cassava flour combination producing the best results.

 

Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2022-08-12-015

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