Mechanical properties of concrete with Portland cement blended with fly ash, silica fume, and a large quantity of pre-treated cattle bone ash

Abstract

Concrete comprises aggregates of various sizes bound by a cementitious paste, with Portland cement (PC) as the primary binder since the 19th century. However, PC production depletes non-renewable natural resources and causes environmental degradation. Meanwhile, approximately 130 billion kilograms of cattle bones (CB) are generated globally each year, posing environmental challenges due to their non-biodegradability. CB is rich in calcium oxide, making it a potential supplementary material in cement production. This study explores the feasibility of using pre-treated cattle bone ash (CBA) as a partial replacement for PC in concrete, combined with 5% silica fume and 10% fly ash. CBA was incorporated at 10%, 25%, 50%, and 75% by weight of cement. The results indicated that mixes containing 10% and 25% CBA achieved high-strength concrete exceeding 60 MPa after 28 d, while mixes with 50% and 75% CBA produced structural-grade concrete with strengths above 25 MPa. The findings demonstrate that pre-treated CBA can effectively replace a portion of PC in concrete when combined with an appropriate pozzolanic material. This substitution reduces environmental pollution and promotes the sustainability of concrete production.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

pre-treated cattle bone ash / fly ash / silica fume / compressive strength / splitting tensile strength / flexural strength / sustainable concrete

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