Enhancing sustainability in concrete production: synergistic effects of sugarcane bagasse ash and limestone in ternary cement systems

The cement industry contributes notably to CO 2 emissions, accounting for about 8% of the total emission. This study investigated the potential of utilizing limestone powder (LP) and sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) in ternary concrete systems and aims to examine the synergistic effects between limestone and SBA in concrete properties and evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of incorporating these locally available materials in concrete production. Mechanical properties improved with the combination of SBA and LP, with the optimal replacement level being 25%. The usage of SBA and LP as cement replacement in concrete contributes to the pore structure enhancement, which is attributed to the chemical reaction of SBA and the filler effect of LP, thereby enhancing the mechanical and durability characteristics of concrete. XRD analysis determined the formation of more hydration products than control mix in the presence of LP in concrete mix. The impact of incorporating SBA and LP beyond 25% on the concrete properties is minimal