Exploring the Potential of Rice Husk, Sugarcane Bagasse, and Cow Dung Ashes as Eco-Activators in Geopolymer Concrete

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6239-695-1_7How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Eco-friendly; agro-waste; mechanical properties; fresh properties; geopolymer concrete

Abstract

This study explores the development and evaluation of geopolymer concrete produced using agro-waste ashes—specifically rice husk ash (RHA), sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), and cow dung ash (CDA)—as sustainable binder alternatives. Various mix combinations were designed by varying the proportions of the three ashes while keeping the alkaline activator ratio and aggregate content constant. Fresh properties were assessed through slump tests, while mechanical performance was evaluated through compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength at 7, 28, and 90 days. The results revealed that RHA-rich mixes exhibited superior workability and mechanical strength due to their high silica content and finer particle structure. Mixes containing SBA also performed well, particularly in terms of long-term strength gain. When utilized independently, cow dung ash (CDA) exhibits relatively lower reactivity; however, its performance improves markedly when combined with more reactive supplementary ashes in blended formulations. The investigation establishes that, through careful optimization of mix proportions, geopolymer concrete incorporating agro-industrial residues can attain satisfactory mechanical strength and durability characteristics. The findings advocate the integration of agricultural waste materials into construction practices as a viable approach to enhancing environmental sustainability and promoting efficient resource utilization within the built environment.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Sana Abass Wani
AU  - Raman Kumar
AU  - Shalom Akhai
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/30
TI  - Exploring the Potential of Rice Husk, Sugarcane Bagasse, and Cow Dung Ashes as Eco-Activators in Geopolymer Concrete
BT  - 2nd International Conference on Advanced Materials & Devices for Futuristic Applications-2024 (IC-AMDFA 2024)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 117
EP  - 130
SN  - 2590-3217
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-695-1_7
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-695-1_7
ID  - Wani2026
ER  -