Sustainable and Cost‐Effective Concrete by Potential Uses of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash as a Supplement to Cementitious Materials

Cement used as binding material in concrete has significant impact on environment due to the emission of NO 2 , SO 2 , CO, CO 2 , dioxins, furans and particulate matter. The average values of NO 2 and SO 2 emissions are 117.09 and 1154.82 μg/m 3 , respectively. About 1 ton of carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere in the production process of 1 ton of cement. Therefore, there is a scope for developing sustainable and cost‐effective concrete for the construction industry. This research presents the potential uses of sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) as a replacement for ordinary portland cement (OPC). Four different percentages (0%, 3%, 6% and 9%) by weight of SBA were used as the replacement for cement to prepare 20 MPa concrete. Firstly, the properties of cement with different percentages of SBA were determined experimentally. The initial and final setting time, normal consistency and the compressive strength at 3, 7 and 28 days curing period were measured in the laboratory. Secondly, a total of 12 cylindrical specimens with different percentages by weight of SBA were prepared and tested at 28‐day curing period. Test results showed that a 3% replacement of OPC with SBA met standard requirements for setting time, normal consistency, and compressive strength. Notably, the compressive strength of concrete increased significantly at the 3% SBA level compared to the control mix. Economic analysis revealed that using 3% SBA could reduce costs by 87 BDT per cubic metre of concrete. For a practical highway project in Rajshahi City Corporation, this replacement translated into a relative slab thickness of a rigid pavement of 29 mm and a relative cost of 82.23%. These findings demonstrate that SBA possesses cementitious properties and can serve as an eco‐friendly alternative material while reducing construction costs.