Municipal waste combustor ash as an aggregate in concrete masonry units
The use of municipal waste combustor ash (MWCA) as aggregate in concrete masonry units (CMU) was investigated using current commercial portland cement concrete technology in an effort to maximize MWCA utilization with a minimum of additional expense. The project used ASTM standards/protocols for portland cement materials to measure the physical and chemical properties including size and size gradation, chemical composition, organic and moisture contents, and density of the sample MWCA obtained from a refuse-derived-fuel operation. Powder X-ray diffraction, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscope, and electron probe microanalysis were also used to assist in determining the morphology and mineral composition. MWCA fly ash and bottom ash components were evaluated separately. The fly ash component was found to contain high levels of sulfates and chlorides that created significant adverse reactions. The sulfate content of the bottom ash equalled the recommended limit for chlorides. MWCA bottom ash was used in the trial mixes with only a maximum size control to minimize processing costs. Trial mixes were made using a modified ASTM C-109 protocol to simulate CMU production methods. Techniques known to improve the durability, strength, and sulfate resistance of portland cement concrete were used to improve the performance of the MWCA mixes. Variables included cement type and amount, curing method, water content, sand content for size gradation, coal fly ash and microsilica content, a CMU plasticizer and a non-chloride accelerator. Compressive strengths in excess of 20.9 MPa (3000 psi), satisfactory for commercial CMU, were obtained with a 10 per cent cement content. A 28 day mist cure gave uniformly higher strengths than a 24 hour cycle atmospheric steam cure. The angularity and size gradation of the MWCA bottom ash adversely affected the machinability and strength results.
- Research Organization:
- State Univ. of New York, Buffalo, NY (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 39328
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: TH: Thesis (Ph.D.); PBD: 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Permeability of high-strength concrete containing low cement factor
Cementitious Grout for Closing SRS High Level Waste Tanks - 12315