Feasibility of using bagasse ash incorporating limestone calcined clay cement as ordinary Portland cement replacement for stabilisation of black cotton soils

In this study, a green and cost-effective cement system was developed with bagasse ash (BA incorporating limestone calcined clay cement (LC 3 ) as ordinary Portland cement (OPC) replacement from black cotton soil (BCS) stabilisation perspective. Effect of BA incorporating 20 % – 60 % range of LC 3 on standard consistency (SC), setting time (ST) and compressive strength properties was investigated and optimised through comparison studies with similar properties to BA incorporating 20 % – 60 % range of OPC. Optimum content of BA incorporating LC 3 was added to BCS in different mix proportion range of 0–18 %. Effect of addition of different content of BA incorporating LC 3 on performance of BCS specimens was examined in terms of compaction, free swell and durability properties. The results show that utilisation of BA incorporating LC 3 maintains compressive strength and improves SC as well as ST of BA incorporating LC 3 paste. Compared to BA incorporating OPC, BA incorporating 40 % of LC 3 content at 0.50 water-cement (w/c) ratio obtained a good comprehensive strength equivalent cement performance. From the experimental results, it was found that addition of BA incorporating LC 3 at optimal content significantly improved compaction, swell potential and durability properties of treated BCS. This study demonstrates technical feasibility of BA incorporating LC 3 as a cement replacement. It verifies the reuse of by-products from agriculture for application as cementitious materials. The study further promotes the utilisation of BA incorporating LC 3 for addressing climate change emergency and reducing high costs for routine BCS stabilisation practice. • BA incorporating LC 3 as green and cost-effective cement replacement for BCS stabilization. • BA incorporating LC 3 mortars with improved mechanical properties, and stabilized BCS with improved engineering performance. • Promoting use of BA incorporating LC 3 for BCS stabilization practice relevant to construction industry.