Research Article
The Effect of Using a High Proportion of Waste Bottom Ash Instead of Sand on the Mechanical Properties of Mortars
Abstract
Waste bottom ash (WBA) disposal requires large landfill areas and poses significant environmental risks due to possible leaching. Therefore, using WBA as sand replacement in mortar production is a sustainable alternative to reduce these environmental concerns. This study investigated the effects of high WBA substitution rates on the mechanical properties of mortars, including ultrasonic pulse velocity (V), flexural strength (ff), and compressive strength (fc), at different substitution levels (0%, 15%, 25%, 35%, 50%, 70%, and 100%) and specimen ages (28, 60 and 90 days). The study results showed that V, ff, and fc values decreased as the WBA substitution rate increased. However, up to a substitution level of 35%, the decrease in mechanical properties remained minimal, and this substitution level was considered applicable to the practices. Moreover, 30-35 MPa strength was obtained at 70% and 100% WBA replacement ratios. Therefore, these strength values are very close to the strength level expected from normal concrete. This study highlights that despite the variation in mortar strength, WBA can serve as an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to sand and reduce the environmental impacts of natural sand mining and landfilling.
Ethical Statement
The study is complied with research and publication ethics.
Supporting Institution
Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit
Project Number
NKUBAP.06.YL.20.250
Thanks
This work was funded by the Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit under Project No. NKUBAP.06.YL.20.250.
References
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- S. A. Mangi, M. Wan Ibrahim, N. Jamaluddin, M. Arshad and P. Ramadhansyah, “Effects of ground coal bottom ash on the properties of concrete,” Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, vol. 14, pp. 338–350, 2019.
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- G. Günay, M. T. Cihan and E. Güneş, “Effect levels of replacement ratio and specimen age on the mechanical properties of mortars containing waste bottom ash,” Environmental Engineering & Management Journal, vol. 23, pp. 1163–1184, 2024.
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- İ. Yüksel, T. Bilir and Ö. Özkan, “Durability of concrete incorporating non-ground blast furnace slag and bottom ash as fine aggregate,” Building and Environment, vol. 42, pp. 2651–2659, 2007.
- S. S. G. Hashemi, H. B. Mahmud, J. N. Y. Djobo, C. G. Tan, B. C. Ang and N. Ranjbar, “Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of bottom ash mortar,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 170, pp. 797–804, 2018.
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- M. Singh and R. Siddique, “Effect of coal bottom ash as partial replacement of sand on workability and strength properties of concrete,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 112, pp. 620–630, 2016.
- S. Oruji, N. A. Brake, L. Nalluri and R. K. Guduru, “Strength activity and microstructure of blended ultra-fine coal bottom ash-cement mortar,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 153, pp. 317–326, 2017.
- C. Argiz, A. Moragues and E. Menéndez, “Use of ground coal bottom ash as cement constituent in concretes exposed to chloride environments,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 170, pp. 25–33, 2018.
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- M. Singh and R. Siddique, “Effect of coal bottom ash as partial replacement of sand on properties of concrete,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 72, pp. 20–32, 2013.
- A. Bhatt et al., “Physical, chemical, and geotechnical properties of coal fly ash: A global review,” Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 11, p. e00263, 2019.
- T. S. Enstitüsü, TS EN 197-1 Çimento-Bölüm 1: Genel çimentolar-Bileşim, özellikler ve uygunluk kriterleri, Ankara: Türk Standardları Enstitüsü, 2002.
- T. S. Enstitüsü, TS EN 196-1 Çimento deney metotları-Bölüm 1: Dayanım tayini, Ankara: Türk Standartları Enstitüsü, 2016.
- T. S. Enstitüsü, TS EN 450-1: Fly ash for concrete–Part 1: Definition, specifications and conformity criteria, Ankara: Türk Standardları Enstitüsü, 2013.
- P. Torkittikul, T. Nochaiya, W. Wongkeo and A. Chaipanich, “Utilization of coal bottom ash to improve thermal insulation of construction material,” Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, vol. 19, pp. 305–317, 2017.
- T. S. Enstitüsü, TS EN 1015-3: Kagir harcı-deney metotları-bölüm 3: taze harç kıvamının tayini (yayılma tablası ile), Ankara: Türk Standartları Enstitüsü, 2000.
- T. S. Enstitüsü, TS EN 12504-4 Beton Deneyleri, Bölüm 4: Ultrasonik Atımlı Dalga Hızının Tayini, Ankara: Türk Standartları Enstitüsü, 2012.
- N. Ankur and N. Singh, “Performance of cement mortars and concretes containing coal bottom ash: A comprehensive review,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 149, p. 111361, 2021.
- A. Srivastava and S. K. Singh, “Utilization of alternative sand for preparation of sustainable mortar: a review,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 253, p. 119706, 2020.
- P. Ramadoss and T. Sundararajan, “Utilization of lignite-based bottom ash as partial replacement of fine aggregate in masonry mortar,” Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, vol. 39, pp. 737–745, 2014.
- J. G. Jang, H. J. Kim, H. K. Kim and H. K. Lee, “Resistance of coal bottom ash mortar against the coupled deterioration of carbonation and chloride penetration,” Materials & Design, vol. 93, pp. 160–167, 2016.
- H. K. Kim, J. H. Jeon and H. K. Lee, “Flow, water absorption, and mechanical characteristics of normal- and high-strength mortar incorporating fine bottom ash aggregates,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 26, pp. 249–256, 2012.
- A. M. Neville, Properties of Concrete, 3rd ed., England: Longman Scientific & Technical, 1986, pp. 57–58.
Year 2025,
Volume: 14 Issue: 2, 664 - 676, 30.06.2025
Abstract
Project Number
NKUBAP.06.YL.20.250
References
- S. Konak, “Granüle yüksek fırın cürufu ve taban külü ince agregaları ile üretilmiş betonun gerilme şekil değiştirme davranışının incelenmesi,” Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, 2018.
- A. Abdulmatin, W. Tangchirapat and C. Jaturapitakkul, “An investigation of bottom ash as a pozzolanic material,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 186, pp. 155–162, 2018.
- E. Tınmaz Köse, A. Akyıldız and A. Yıldız, “Recycling of Coal Ash as a Building Material via a Stabilization/Solidification Method,” Global Nest Journal, 2013.
- A. H. Ibrahim, “Influence of coal bottom ash on properties of Portland cement mortar,” International Journal of Integrated Engineering, vol. 11, 2019.
- C. Argiz, M. Á. Sanjuán and E. Menéndez, “Coal bottom ash for Portland cement production,” Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 2017, 2017.
- I. Kula, A. Olgun, Y. Erdogan and V. Sevinc, “Effects of colemanite waste, cool bottom ash, and fly ash on the properties of cement,” Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 31, pp. 491–494, 2001.
- E. Menéndez, A. Álvaro, M. Hernández and J. Parra, “New methodology for assessing the environmental burden of cement mortars with partial replacement of coal bottom ash and fly ash,” Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 133, pp. 275–283, 2014.
- C. Jaturapitakkul and R. Cheerarot, “Development of bottom ash as pozzolanic material,” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, vol. 15, pp. 48–53, 2003.
- S. A. Mangi, M. Wan Ibrahim, N. Jamaluddin, M. Arshad and P. Ramadhansyah, “Effects of ground coal bottom ash on the properties of concrete,” Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, vol. 14, pp. 338–350, 2019.
- D. Bajare, G. Bumanis and L. Upeniece, “Coal combustion bottom ash as microfiller with pozzolanic properties for traditional concrete,” Procedia Engineering, vol. 57, pp. 149–158, 2013.
- S. A. Mangi, M. H. Wan Ibrahim, N. Jamaluddin, M. F. Arshad and S. W. Mudjanarko, “Recycling of coal ash in concrete as a partial cementitious resource,” Resources, vol. 8, p. 99, 2019.
- R. A. Khan and A. Ganesh, “The effect of coal bottom ash (CBA) on mechanical and durability characteristics of concrete,” Journal of Building Materials and Structures, vol. 3, pp. 31–42, 2016.
- A. Armada Bras and P. Faustino, “Repair mortars and new concretes with coal bottom and biomass ashes using rheological optimisation,” International Journal of Environmental Research, vol. 10, pp. 203–216, 2016.
- G. Günay, M. T. Cihan and E. Güneş, “Evaluation of mechanical properties and leaching tests results of mortars containing waste bottom ash as replacement of cement,” Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, pp. 1–15, 2024.
- G. Günay, M. T. Cihan and E. Güneş, “Effect levels of replacement ratio and specimen age on the mechanical properties of mortars containing waste bottom ash,” Environmental Engineering & Management Journal, vol. 23, pp. 1163–1184, 2024.
- N. I. R. Ramzi, S. Shahidan, M. Z. Maarof and N. Ali, “Physical and chemical properties of coal bottom ash (CBA) from Tanjung Bin Power Plant,” in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2016, p. 012056.
- İ. Yüksel, T. Bilir and Ö. Özkan, “Durability of concrete incorporating non-ground blast furnace slag and bottom ash as fine aggregate,” Building and Environment, vol. 42, pp. 2651–2659, 2007.
- S. S. G. Hashemi, H. B. Mahmud, J. N. Y. Djobo, C. G. Tan, B. C. Ang and N. Ranjbar, “Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of bottom ash mortar,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 170, pp. 797–804, 2018.
- S. Sharma, V. Arora, P. Ojha, B. Singh, V. Patel and A. K. NS, “Use of bottom ash as part replacement of sand for making concrete blocks,” Journal of Building Materials and Structures, vol. 8, pp. 82–92, 2021.
- M. Singh and R. Siddique, “Effect of coal bottom ash as partial replacement of sand on workability and strength properties of concrete,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 112, pp. 620–630, 2016.
- S. Oruji, N. A. Brake, L. Nalluri and R. K. Guduru, “Strength activity and microstructure of blended ultra-fine coal bottom ash-cement mortar,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 153, pp. 317–326, 2017.
- C. Argiz, A. Moragues and E. Menéndez, “Use of ground coal bottom ash as cement constituent in concretes exposed to chloride environments,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 170, pp. 25–33, 2018.
- S. A. Mohammed et al., “A review of the utilization of coal bottom ash (CBA) in the construction industry,” Sustainability, vol. 13, p. 8031, 2021.
- M. Singh and R. Siddique, “Effect of coal bottom ash as partial replacement of sand on properties of concrete,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 72, pp. 20–32, 2013.
- A. Bhatt et al., “Physical, chemical, and geotechnical properties of coal fly ash: A global review,” Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 11, p. e00263, 2019.
- T. S. Enstitüsü, TS EN 197-1 Çimento-Bölüm 1: Genel çimentolar-Bileşim, özellikler ve uygunluk kriterleri, Ankara: Türk Standardları Enstitüsü, 2002.
- T. S. Enstitüsü, TS EN 196-1 Çimento deney metotları-Bölüm 1: Dayanım tayini, Ankara: Türk Standartları Enstitüsü, 2016.
- T. S. Enstitüsü, TS EN 450-1: Fly ash for concrete–Part 1: Definition, specifications and conformity criteria, Ankara: Türk Standardları Enstitüsü, 2013.
- P. Torkittikul, T. Nochaiya, W. Wongkeo and A. Chaipanich, “Utilization of coal bottom ash to improve thermal insulation of construction material,” Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, vol. 19, pp. 305–317, 2017.
- T. S. Enstitüsü, TS EN 1015-3: Kagir harcı-deney metotları-bölüm 3: taze harç kıvamının tayini (yayılma tablası ile), Ankara: Türk Standartları Enstitüsü, 2000.
- T. S. Enstitüsü, TS EN 12504-4 Beton Deneyleri, Bölüm 4: Ultrasonik Atımlı Dalga Hızının Tayini, Ankara: Türk Standartları Enstitüsü, 2012.
- N. Ankur and N. Singh, “Performance of cement mortars and concretes containing coal bottom ash: A comprehensive review,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 149, p. 111361, 2021.
- A. Srivastava and S. K. Singh, “Utilization of alternative sand for preparation of sustainable mortar: a review,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 253, p. 119706, 2020.
- P. Ramadoss and T. Sundararajan, “Utilization of lignite-based bottom ash as partial replacement of fine aggregate in masonry mortar,” Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, vol. 39, pp. 737–745, 2014.
- J. G. Jang, H. J. Kim, H. K. Kim and H. K. Lee, “Resistance of coal bottom ash mortar against the coupled deterioration of carbonation and chloride penetration,” Materials & Design, vol. 93, pp. 160–167, 2016.
- H. K. Kim, J. H. Jeon and H. K. Lee, “Flow, water absorption, and mechanical characteristics of normal- and high-strength mortar incorporating fine bottom ash aggregates,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 26, pp. 249–256, 2012.
- A. M. Neville, Properties of Concrete, 3rd ed., England: Longman Scientific & Technical, 1986, pp. 57–58.
There are 37 citations in total.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Waste Management, Reduction, Reuse and Recycling, Construction Materials |
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Project Number | NKUBAP.06.YL.20.250 |
| Early Pub Date | June 27, 2025 |
| Publication Date | June 30, 2025 |
| Submission Date | November 1, 2024 |
| Acceptance Date | June 2, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 14 Issue: 2 |
Bitlis Eren University
Journal of Science Editor
Bitlis Eren University Graduate Institute
Bes Minare Mah. Ahmet Eren Bulvari, Merkez Kampus, 13000 BITLIS
E-mail: fbe@beu.edu.tr