Assessment of Wood-Based Fly Ash as Alternative Cement Replacement

Jan Fořt, Jiří Šál, Jaroslav Žák and Robert Černý
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Jan Fořt: Department of Materials Engineering and Chemistry, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Thákutova 7, 166 29 Prague, Czech Republic
Jiří Šál: Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice, Okružní 10, 370 01 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Jaroslav Žák: Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice, Okružní 10, 370 01 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Robert Černý: Department of Materials Engineering and Chemistry, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Thákutova 7, 166 29 Prague, Czech Republic

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 22, 1-16

Abstract: The abandonment of coal energy plants in the near future will result in a substantially reduced availability of the coal fly ash broadly used as an efficient supplementary material. In line with the growth of alternative and renewable energy resources, the amount of biomass-based ash rises substantially. Nevertheless, a diverse chemical composition prevents a broader utilization of biomass-based fly ash compared to coal ash on an industrial scale. On this account, the present work is aimed at investigating the basic physical and mechanical properties of concrete mortars modified by a high volume of biomass fly ash (BFA) from wood combustion. Delivered results confirm a significant potential of BFA in the building industry. Experimental analysis of concrete mortars with BFA reveals preservation or even improvement of compressive and bending strength up to 30 wt.% cement replacement. On the contrary, higher dosages induce a gradual decrease in mechanical performance. The performed Life Cycle Assessment analysis reveals the perspective of BFA incorporation taking into account environmental issues considering the ratio between preservation of mechanical performance per normalized endpoint environmental score that allows a direct comparison with other alternatives.

Keywords: cement replacement; biomass fly ash; mechanical performance; cement mortar design; environmental score; life cycle assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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