Enhancing the performance of rigid pavement slabs using sugarcane bagasse ash and macro synthetic fibers

Abstract This study uses a few materials with various ratios, such as sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) and macro synthetic fiber (MSF), to enhance the rigid pavement slab (RPS) load-carrying capacity (LCC). In the study presented herein, the investigation was developed in two phases. Firstly, we selected materials and evaluated their physical, mechanical, and chemical characteristics. Nine different concrete mixes were designed as part of the study. The investigation focused on the ratio of replacement SBA used, which ranged from 0 to 25% by weight of the cement content, and MSF ratios 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% by volume of concrete mixture. Compressive strength (CS), flexural strength (FS), slump, and splitting tensile strength (STS) were used to assess each mixture’s characteristics. SEM was also used to illustrate the specifics of the SBA results. Accordingly, three mixes have been chosen to be used in the next. In the second phase, a study was conducted on the ultimate LCC for RPS internal, edge, and corner. Nine RPS measuring 800 mm × 800 mm × 50 mm were constructed and subjected to a static load at three different locations. The optimal ratios for high mechanical properties are 10% SBA replacement for cement content and 1% MSF inclusion by volume in the concrete mixture. The CS of SBA10 increases by approximately 7.32% compared to its reference mixture. With the SBA10F1 mix design, there is a 34% increase in ultimate LCC for internal loading, a 33% increase for edge loading, and a 36% increase for corner loading compared to its reference mixture. This research presents new insights into the combined use of SBA and MSF, contributing to the development of more sustainable RPS.