CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Concrete is a venerable and ubiquitous construction material, exhibiting widespread

adoption attributable to its economic viability, availability, exceptional durability, and

remarkable capacity to withstand extreme environmental conditions. Its extensive

utilization in construction can be attributed to its superior compressive strength and

durability, rendering it an indispensable resource (Hasan, 2015). Notably, concrete is

the most widely employed man-made material in construction globally, surpassing all

other materials in terms of usage volume. Its versatility, sustainability, and

performance have cemented its position as a cornerstone of modern construction. The

main factor which determines the strength of concrete is the amount of cement used

and water/cement ratio in the mix (Jugal and Aman, 2018).

The preparation of concrete involves the precise mixing of cement, fine aggregate,

coarse aggregate, and water in proportions tailored to the specific requirements of the

project. The production of plain concrete necessitates a controlled environment, with

adequate moisture provision for a minimum of 28 days to facilitate optimal hydration

and achieve the desired strength. Curing is a crucial component of the hydration

process, and any deficiency in this regard can have deleterious effects on the strength

and durability of the concrete. In recent times, there has been a growing trend towards

the incorporation of alternative materials in construction, driven by the need for

sustainability and innovative solutions (Tiriveedhi, Bhupathi, Bhupathi, Dileep,

Sashank, Krishna, Kumar & Praveen, 2021).Cement comprises about 7-14 % of

concrete (Fahl, 2009), However, the construction industry’s rapid growth poses

challenges tied to raw material depletion and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Each year a huge amount of not less than 3 billion tons of Portland cement is

consumed globally and the manufacturing process of the cement is a severe

environmental concern. Approximately 400 kg of carbon dioxide is produced per 600

kg of cement (Prasad and Eswanth, 2019), which is a considerable contribution to

man-made CO2. The manufacturing of concrete not only contributes enormously to

societal advancement but also supports a large number of jobs (Naik, 2008). The

availability of cement, sand and large stones like granite—the cost of which have

risen substantially in recent years—are all critical components in the manufacture of

cement. In a nutshell, Portland cement is an environmentally harmful material

because its production releases greenhouse gases and decreases the supply of

limestone. Therefore, professionals must decrease the consumption of Portland

cement as a substitute of supplementary cementitious material (Esubalew & Werku,

2024). According to Ramezanianpour, Mahdikhani, and Ahmadibeni (2009), using

waste materials in building enhances preservation of the environment and resource

conservation.

Nigeria, a nation in the midst of development, relies heavily on architectural

advancement as a primary driver of progress. However, the escalating costs of

concrete, a fundamental component of infrastructure, pose a significant hurdle. In

response, research has turned its focus towards exploring alternative materials, readily

available locally, to supplant traditional concrete constituents. This shift is crucial not

only for fostering infrastructure development and mitigating construction expenses

but also for aligning with national and international strategies aimed at poverty

reduction, stimulating economic growth in the construction and related sectors, and

alleviating environmental pressures (Horvat, Bendix, Bobek, & Skoko, 2021).

According to Zemke and Woods (2009), the development of developing nations

performance. When it comes to low-cost construction, agricultural wastes are superior

than conventional resources (Abdullah, 1997). The use of alternative material in the

construction is increasing day by day.

Agricultural waste, specifically the ash derived from various types, has shown

promise as a viable partial substitute for cement. Notably, researchers have

investigated the pozzolanic properties of ash obtained from Banana Leaves, a

previously underutilized resource. Currently, the residual stem and leaves of the

banana tree are often discarded or burned after drying, presenting an opportunity for

valorization. The banana tree's composition, comprising approximately 80% liquid

matter, undergoes significant weight reduction upon drying, with a corresponding

yield of 20% ash by dry weight after combustion. For instance, processing 500 kg of

fresh banana leaves and stems would result in 100 kg of dry leaves and 20 kg of ash,

highlighting the potential for this waste material to be repurposed as a supplementary

cementitious material (Jugal and Aman, 2018).

Banana leaf ash (BLA) stand out as a cement replacement material is its wide

availability and lack of research done on it previously. Bearing in mind the enormous

cultivation of banana fruit globally, which was recorded to be spread in over 5.2

million hectares in 2020 (Tavares, Lucena, Henriques, Ferreira & dos Anjos, 2022).

Each banana plant generally gives a 1.34 kg yield of dried leaves. In 2011 a massive

9.3million tons of dried banana leaves were collected throughout the year. This shows

the potential of obtaining banana leaves ash considering 10 % ash yield per kg of

wasted leaves (Kanning, . Portella, Da Costa & Puppi, 2011). The characteristics of

this ash hold the potential of boosting the strength of concrete (Gangadha, Krishna,

Kumar, Madhuri & Parthiban, 2020). Banana leaves ash is obtained from combustion
of the dried banana leaves which is an agricultural waste. The resulting ash after

combustion exhibits cementitious properties and can be used as supplementary

cement replacement material in concrete. These attributes are the result of its ability to

initiate pozzolanic reaction like cement in concrete - hence, increasing the

performance of concrete (Sakthivel, Parameswari & Gomathi, 2019).

This project deals with the comparative study of properties of concrete by using

Banana Leaves Ash as a cementitious material in the concrete mix. The ash produced

from various types of agricultural waste can be used effectively as a partial

replacement of cement.

1.2. Problem statement

According to Esubalew & Werku, (2024), Cement is an essential ingredient of

concrete, however, Portland cement is an environmentally harmful material because

its production releases greenhouse gases and decreases the supply of limestone and

2020 at the global level, the cement production industry will be required to reduce its

CO2 generation by 30–40% and 50% by 2050”. The increasing demand for concrete

in construction, coupled with the environmental concerns and rising costs of cement,

poses a significant challenge. The need for sustainable and innovative solutions has

led to exploring alternative materials, such as agricultural waste, to partially replace

cement. Specifically, the underutilized Banana Leaf Ash (BLA) has shown promise

as a viable substitute, but its properties and effects on concrete have not been

extensively studied. Nigeria, a nation in the midst of development, relies heavily on

architectural advancement as a primary driver of progress. However, the escalating

costs of concrete, a fundamental component of infrastructure, pose a significant

hurdle. In response, research has turned its focus towards exploring alternative

materials, readily available locally, to supplant traditional concrete constituents. The

building materials without sacrificing performance. Moreover, agricultural wastes

have proven superior to conventional resources in low-cost construction. As the use

of alternative materials in construction continues to increase, it is essential to

investigate the potential of Banana Leaf Ash as a partial replacement for cement, to

address the pressing issues of sustainability, cost, and environmental impact in the

construction industry. This project aims to investigate the use of BLA as a partial

replacement for cement in concrete, focusing on its impact on the properties of

concrete, and exploring its potential as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for

the construction industry.

1.3. Aims and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the project is to research the effects of Banana leaf ash (BLA) as partial

replacement of cement on the properties of concrete. The objective of the study

includes:

I. To produce Banana leaf ash (BLA)

II. To determine the Physical properties and chemical composition of banana

leaf ash (BLA)

III. To determine the physical properties of the ingredients

IV. To evaluate the plastic properties of control and banana leaf ash concrete

V. To determine the hardening properties of control and banana leaf ash

concrete

VI. To use relevant statistical tools in analyzing the results obtained in (iv) and

(v) above

VII. To make recommendation as to the suitability or otherwise the use of banana

leaf ash in the production of concrete

This study investigates the potential of Banana Leaf Ash (BLA) as a partial

replacement for cement in concrete, contributing to the development of sustainable

and locally sourced construction materials. By exploring the structural performances

of BLA-based concrete, including workability and compressive strength, this

research provides valuable insights for decision-makers, researchers, and the

construction industry. Research demonstrate that BLA can reduce the energy required

for cement production by up to 37%, which is crucial for mitigating climate change.

This reduction in energy consumption also leads to a decrease in greenhouse gas

emissions during the production of clinker and cement. Moreover, using BLA as a

cement substitute can help address the climate emergency by reducing waste and

promoting sustainable practices in the construction industry.

Several studies have investigated the use of BLA as a partial substitute for cement,

with most findings presenting positive outcomes and benefits. The incorporation of

BLA as a cementitious material can significantly reduce cement usage, leading to a

decrease in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This approach aligns

with the need for a comprehensive approach to climate action planning, incorporating

both adaptation and mitigation measures.

In the context of developing nations, the use of affordable building materials without

sacrificing performance is crucial for fostering infrastructure development and

reducing construction expenses. Agricultural wastes, such as BLA, have proven to be

desirable alternative to conventional resources in low-cost construction. As the use of

alternative materials increases, investigating BLA as a partial replacement for cement

is essential to address sustainability, cost, and environmental impact in the

construction industry.
1.5 Scope of the Study

This study's scope includes gathering samples and examination of the aggregate's

mechanical and physical characteristics, including moisture content, specific gravity,

bulk density (compacted and uncompacted), aggregate impact value, and aggregate

crushing value, as well as sieve analysis. Slump test and compaction factor tests will

also be used to evaluate the workability of freshly mixed concrete. The scope of the

study also includes testing the compressive strength of concrete made with Banana

leaf ash.