Optimization of biogenic supplementary cementitious materials in concrete prepared from East-Indian Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and poultry litter using response surface methodology

Abstract

Developing construction materials from biomass and biowaste as a substitute for conventional cement has been receiving immense global interest in recent times, due to issues like greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (e.g. CO₂), rapid depletion of non-renewable resources, and extensive energy consumption during cement production. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash, slag, and natural pozzolans can substitute conventional cement partially and can contribute to reducing GHG emissions and the environmental footprint of cement production. This study aims to prepare bio-based pozzolans from East-Indian lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and poultry litter and to investigate the mechanical properties of concrete through their utilization as SCMs. The optimization process involves central composite design (CCD)-based response surface methodology (RSM) for modelling and statistical analyses using experimental data from the study. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed the model’s significance, with coefficient of determination (R ²) of 0.9956. The individual and synergistic effects of the considered factors on compressive strength were analysed using three-dimensional response surface plot. Based on RSM analysis, concrete prepared by substituting 17.57% of ordinary Portland cement with SCM (which was cured for 25.82 days with a water–cement ratio of 0.54) yielded the optimum compressive, flexural and split tensile strengths of 33.94 ± 0.12, 8.78 ± 0.02 and 3.06 ± 0.02 N/mm², respectively. Furthermore, the SCM-mixed concrete exhibited enhanced durability properties compared to traditional ones. The findings also demonstrate the robustness of RSM as a significant tool for optimization of concrete performance. Moreover, the characterization results of pyrolytic lemon grass bio-oil (LG-BO) confirm its bioenergy potential, thereby suggesting its diverse utilization in various applications.

Keywords

Calcined lemon grass biochar / Poultry litter ash / Supplementary cementitious material / Biochar ash / Curing period / Water–cement ratio

References

[1] Abirami U, Kayalvizhi K, Pavithra K, Govandan A. Experimental study on behaviour of concrete replaced with water hyacinth ash. Int J Eng Res Technol, 2018, 6(14): 1-3

[2] Ademola SA, Buari TA. Behaviour of bamboo leaf ash blended cement concrete in sulphates environment. IOSR J Eng, 2014, 4(6): 1-8

[3] Ahmad DA, Ado M. Investigation in to the use of plantain peels ash as an admixture in concrete. Int J Eng Sci Comp, 2016, 6(5): 5377-5380

[4] Al-Attar TS, Taha AA (2018) Performance of high-volume fly ash self-compacting concrete exposed to external sulfate attack. In: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on durability of concrete structures, ICDCS, Leeds.

[5] Alsanusi S, Bentaher L (2015) Prediction of compressive strength of concrete from early age test result using design of experiments (RSM). Int J Civil Environ Struct Constr Archit Eng 9(12):2015.

[6] Asha P, Salman A, Kumar RA. Experimental study on concrete with bamboo leaf ash. Int J Eng Adv Technol, 2014, 3(6): 46-51

[7] Balagopal V, Viswanathan TS. A comprehensive exploration on sustainable supplementary cementitious materials derived from agro-wastes. Int J Eng Adv Technol, 2020, 9(3): 2482-2489

[8] Bashar S, Veerendrakumar C, Muhd F. Rubbercrete mixture optimization using response surface methodology. J Clean Prod, 2018, 171: 1605-1621

[9] Bassuoni MT, Nehdi M, Amin M. Self-compacting concrete: using limestone to resist sulfuric acid. Proc Inst Civ Eng Constr Mater, 2007, 160: 113-123

[10] Bhuyan N, Narzari R, Baruah SMB, Kataki R. Comparative assessment of artificial neural network and response surface methodology for evaluation of the predictive capability on bio-oil yield of Tithonia diversifolia pyrolysis. Biomass Convers Biorefin, 2022, 12: 2203-2218

[11] Cempa M, Olszewski P, Wierzchowski K, Kucharski P, Białecka B. Ash from poultry manure incineration as a substitute for phosphorus fertiliser. Mater, 2022, 15: 3023

[12] Chandar SP, Gunasekaran K, Nabeel Babu VP, Potti R (2018) Experimental investigation on the mechanical properties of concrete mixed with banana stem fiber as well as hybrid steel fiber. Rasayan J Chem 11(2):640–646. https://doi.org/10.31788/RJC.2018.1123011.

[13] Chopra P, Kumar RS, Kumar M. Artificial neural networks for the prediction of compressive strength of concrete. Int J Appl Sci Eng, 2015, 13(3): 187-204

[14] Choudhury ND, Bhuyan N, Bordoloi N, Saikia N, Kataki R. Production of bio-oil from coir pith via pyrolysis: kinetics, thermodynamics, and optimization using response surface methodology. Biomass Convers Biorefin, 2021, 11: 2881-2898

[15] Çulcuoglu E, Ünay E, Karaosmanoglu F, Angin D, Şensöz S. Characterization of the bio-oil of rapeseed cake. Energ Source, 2005, 27(13): 1217-1223

[16] Datta M, Gupta A, Dwivedi A, Kosta A. Experimental study of cement replacement with tea waste and flyash. J Emerg Technol Innov Res, 2019, 6(6): 63-68

[17] Deja J, Uliasz-Bochenczyk A, Mokrzycki, CO₂ emissions from polish cement industry. Int J Greenh Gas Control, 2010, 4(4): 583-588

[18] Demiral I, Atilgan NG, Şensöz S (2008) Production of biofuel from soft shell of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.). Chem Eng Commun 196(1–2):104–115.

[19] Dhande DY, Sinaga N, Dahe KB (2021) Study on combustion, performance and exhaust emissions of bioethanol-gasoline blended spark ignition engine. Heliyon 7(3)

[20] Dwivedi VN, Singh NP, Das SS, Singh NB. A new pozzolanic material for cement industry: bamboo leaf ash. Int J Phys Sci, 2006, 1(3): 106-111

[21] Fahimi A, Bilo F, Assi A Poultry litter ash characterisation and recovery. Waste Manag, 2020, 111: 10-21

[22] Garside M (2023) Cement Industry Worldwide. Statista. www.statista.com

[23] Golewski GL. The role of pozzolanic activity of siliceous fly ash in the formation of the structure of sustainable cementitious composites. Sustain Chem, 2022, 3: 520-534

[24] Hussin TAR, Parasuraman J. Partial replacement of cement with commercial available rice husk ash in concrete. Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur Res J, 2018, 6(1): 1-9

[25] Ikeagwuani CC, Nwonu DC (2019) Emerging trends in expansive soil stabilisation: a review. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 11:423–440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2018.08.013

[26] Ikeagwuani CC, Nwonu DC, Obetule DA, Omeje MU, Festus T. Potential of bamboo stem ash as supplementary cementitious material in concrete production. Int J Eng Res Technol, 2019, 8(8): 75-80

[27] Juenger MCG, Siddique R. Recent advances in understanding the role of supplementary cementitious materials in concrete. Cem Concr Res, 2015, 78: 71-80

[28] Kannan V, Ganesan K. Chloride and chemical resistance of self compacting concrete containing rice husk ash and metakaolin. Constr Build Mater, 2014, 51: 225-234

[29] Kumar AN, Velayutham T. Experimental research on rice husk ash as replacement to cement in construction industry. Int J Recent Technol Eng, 2019, 8(8): 1197-1200

[30] Kumar R. Partial replacement of coconut shell ash with cement in concrete. Int J Sci Res, 2020, 9(8): 46-51

[31] Kumar R, Malik A, Kashyap VK. Partial replacement of cement with rice husk ash and fine aggregates by coconut shell powder in concrete. Int J Civil Eng Technol, 2018, 9(4): 544-551

[32] Kursat E, Ehsan G. Development of eco-efficient self-compacting concrete with waste marble powder using the response surface method. J Clean Prod, 2017, 144: 192-202

[33] Lee J, Yang X, Cho SH Pyrolysis process of agricultural waste using CO₂ for waste management, energy recovery, and biochar fabrication. Appl Energ, 2017, 185: 214-222

[34] Lu Q, Yang XL, Zhu XF. Analysis on chemical and physical properties of bio-oil pyrolyzed from rice husk. J Anal Appl Pyrol, 2008, 82(2): 191-198

[35] Madhu P, Livingston TS, Manickam IN (2017) Fixed bed pyrolysis of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus): bio-oil production and characterization. Energ Source Part A Recovery Util Environ Eff 39(13):1359–1368. https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2017.1328623

[36] Madrid R, Nogueira C, Margarido F (2012) Production and characterisation of amorphous silica from rice husk waste. In: WasteEng’2012: Proceedings of the 4th international conference on engineering for waste and biomass valorisation.

[37] Madurwar MV, Mandavgane SA, Ralegaonkar RV. Use of sugarcane bagasse ash as brick material. Curr Sci, 2014, 107(6): 1044-1051

[38] Mahesh B, Kumar TM, Nikhil U, Yakaswamy A. Usage of sugarcane bagasse ash in concrete. Int J Eng Res Gen Sci, 2017, 5(2): 218-224

[39] Mangi SA, Jamaluddin N, Wan Ibrahim MH, Abdullah AH, Abdul Awal ASM, Sohu S, Ali N (2017) Utilization of sugarcane bagasse ash in concrete as partial replacement of cement. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng 271:012001.

[40] Musthafa S, Basha SM, Bhavani S, Anudeep P, Chakravarhy P, Vali SN. Experimental study on partial replacement of cement by banana leaves ash and glass fiber. Int J Res Advent Technol, 2019, 2019: 650-655

[41] Nur Firdaus MY, Osman H, Metselaar HSC, Rozyanty AR. Preparation and characterization of active SiO₂ from cymbopogon citratus ash calcined at different temperature. Bioresour, 2016, 11(1): 2839-2849

[42] Olofintuyi I, Oladapo S. Strength assessment of bamboo trunk ash (BTA) and grinded snail shell (GSS) as additives in self-compacting concrete (SCC) Int. Res J Innov Eng Technol, 2019, 3(4): 40-43

[43] Olofintuyi IO, Oluborode KD, Adegbite I. Structural value of bamboo leaf ash as a pozzolanic material in a blended portland cement. Int J Eng Sci Res Technol, 2015, 4(9): 171-177

[44] Olutoge FA, Oladunmoye OM. Bamboo leaf ash as supplementary cementitious material. Am J Eng Res, 2017, 6(6): 1-8

[45] Paulose I, Babu S. Efficiency analysis of banana stem ash as a supplementary cementitious material in concrete. Int Res J Eng Technol, 2021, 8(6): 2956-2962

[46] Pawar JR, Khaire AS (2018) Experimental investigation on properties of concrete by partial replacement of cement with banana leaves ash. Int J Res Eng Appl Manag, pp 789–794.

[47] Prithiviraj C, Saravanan J, Kumar DR, Murali G, Vatin NI, Swaminathan P. Assessment of strength and durability properties of self-compacting concrete comprising alccofine. Sustainability, 2022, 14: 5895

[48] Rachniyom W, Srisittipokakun N, Kaewkhao J (2019) Comparative study of SiO₂ in biomass ashes at different temperatures. Interdiscip Sci Rev 14(3):12–15.

[49] Ramezanianpour AM, Hooton RD. Sulfate resistance of Portland-limestone cements in combination with supplementary cementitious materials. Mater Struct, 2013, 46: 1061-1073

[50] Rao PP, Kumar AP, Singh BB. A study on use of rice husk ash in concrete. Int J Educ Appl Res, 2014, 4(2): 75-81

[51] Revathi R, Bharathi L, Durgadevi A, Kavipriya D. Experimental study on partial replacement of coarse aggregate by coconut shell and with addition of chicken feather in concrete. Int J Innov Res Manag Eng Technol, 2018, 3(2): 7-13

[52] Siad H, Mesbah HA, Khelafi H, Kamali-Bernard S, Mouli M. Effect of mineral admixture on resistance to sulphuric and hydrochloric acid attacks in selfcompacting concrete. Can J Civ Eng, 2010, 37: 441-449

[53] Thomas BS, Yang J, Mo KH, Abdalla JA, Hawileh RA, Ariyachandra E. Biomass ashes from agricultural wastes as supplementary cementitious materials or aggregate replacement in cement/geopolymer concrete: a comprehensive review. J Build Eng, 2021, 40 7

[54] Tijani MA, Olawale SOA, Abdullahi L, Aliyu MA, Ajagbe WO (2020) Effect of sorghum husk ash and calcium chloride on compressive strength of grade 20 concrete. In: IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 1036:012054. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1036/1/012054.

[55] Umoh AA, Ujene AO. Empirical study on effect of bamboo leaf ash in concrete. J Eng Technol, 2014, 5(2): 71-82

[56] Wongkhorsub C, Chindaprasert N. A comparison of the use of pyrolysis oils in diesel engine. Energ Power Eng, 2013, 5(4): 350-355

[57] Yağ İ, Altan A. Artificial intelligence-based robust hybrid algorithm design and implementation for real-time detection of plant diseases in agricultural environments. Biology, 2022, 11(12): 1732

[58] Zady M. Correlation and simple least squares regression. Clinical laboratory science program, 2000 Louisville, Kentucky University of Louisville

[59] Zhou Z, Yang Y, Li X, Li P, Zhang T, Lv X, Liu L, Dong J, Zheng D. Optimized removal of natural organic matter by ultrasound-assisted coagulation of recycling drinking water treatment sludge. Ultrason Sonochem, 2018, 48: 171-180