Properties of Hollow Non-Load Bearing and Non-Moisture Controlling Concrete Block Containing Diatomite and Sugarcane Bagasse Ash

Abstract

This research is to study mechanical and durability of hollow non-load bearing and non-moisturecontrolling concrete block in a size of 70 × 190 × 390 mm3. Dusty limestone rock which is a main aggregateand widely used in concrete block production, is replaced with diatomite or sugarcane bagasse ash. Thediatomite comes from a quarry in Mae-Tha district, Lampang province. In addition, the bagasse ash comesfrom a sugar production factory at which sugarcane is used as a fuel for boiling water in electricity-powergenerating process. The basic properties studied included chemical compositions and physical propertiesof diatomite and sugarcane bagasse ash. The mechanical and durability properties of hollow non-loadconcrete block containing diatomite and sugarcane bagasse ash are also investigated. Furthermore, theproperties of both materials are compared with the specification criteria in accordance with the Thai IndustrialStandard (TIS) 58-2533. The replacements of diatomite and sugarcane bagasse ash in dusty limestonerock were 0, 10, 15 and 20 % by weight and water-to-Portland cement Type I ratios were varied from 0.53to 0.64 depending on formation conditions.

From the tested results, it was found that silicon dioxide (SiO2) was a main composition for bothdiatomite and sugarcane bagasse ash and their strength activity indexes at the age of 28 days were 67% and53%, respectively. The increase in proportions of diatomite and sugarcane bagasse ash resulted in thedecrease of unit weight, thermal conductivity, sound absorption coefficient, strength development rate, andresistance due to acid attacks of dusty limestone rock-sugarcane bagasse ash concrete block. Whereas, thecoefficient of sound absorption of dusty limestone rock-diatomite concrete block and moisture content arehigher than that of the normal concrete block mixed with dusty limestone rock. Moreover, when comparingto the specification criteria of the TIS 58-2533, it can be concluded that the suitable use of diatomite andsugarcane bagasse ash to replace dusty limestone rock is 10 and 20 % by weight of dusty limestone rock,respectively.