Evaluating the Mechanical Properties of Concrete Enhanced with Sugarcane Bagasse Ash and Metakaolin through Destructive and Non-Destructive Testing Methods

Concrete technology is widely favoured in construction for its affordability, performance, and effectiveness. However, there's a growing need for it to be more durable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. Achieving these goals involves incorporating or substituting energy-efficient materials from industries, such as bottom ash, fly ash, and steel slag. Additionally, recyclable materials like Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SBA) and Metakaolin (MK) can be utilized in concrete production. The combined effects of MK and SBA on concrete's mechanical properties were investigated through various destructive and non-destructive tests, including compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV), and Digital Schmidt Rebound Hammer (RH) testing. Different ratios of MK and SBA, ranging from 5% to 20%, were used to partially replace cement by mass in the design of M-35 grade concrete, while M-sand replaced fine aggregate entirely by volume. Experimental results suggest that concrete incorporating industrial waste materials like SBA and MK outperforms conventional concrete, as evidenced by both non-destructive and destructive testing methods.