Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of Molasses and Water–Cement Ratio on Properties of Recycled Aggregate Concrete

  • Research Article - Civil Engineering
  • Published:
Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) presenting economic and environmental benefits, it has inferior fresh and hardened state properties. Recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) obtained from demolished concrete demand more water to satisfy their absorption capacity than natural aggregates; therefore, concrete incorporating the higher volume of RCA leads to inferior properties. Using a suitable plasticizer, water demand of RAC can be reduced as noted by many researchers; hence, properties of RAC are improved. Moreover, sugarcane molasses is a by-product of sugar mills and has water-reducing properties; therefore, it can be used as a cheap substitute of conventional plasticizers. In this study, the influence of four different concentrations of molasses (0%, 0.25%, 0.50% and 1% by weight of cement) on the properties of RAC is investigated using three different water–cement (W/C) ratios (0.45, 0.50 and 0.55). Workability, fresh density, compressive strength, water absorption, sorptivity coefficient and chloride penetrations are investigated. The results encouraged the use of 0.25–0.50% molasses in RAC for maximum strength and durability. Blank and molasses-added mixes showed maximum strength and durability at 0.55 and 0.50 W/C ratios, respectively.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kurda, R.; de Brito, J.; Silvestre, J.: Combined economic and mechanical performance optimization of recycled aggregate concrete with high volume of fly ash. Appl. Sci. 8, 1189 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Kurad, R.; Silvestre, J.D.; de Brito, J.; Ahmed, H.: Effect of incorporation of high volume of recycled concrete aggregates and fly ash on the strength and global warming potential of concrete. J. Clean. Prod. 166, 485–502 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Kou, S.C.; Poon, C.S.; Chan, D.: Influence of fly ash as cement replacement on the properties of recycled aggregate concrete. J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 19, 709–717 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Kou, S.-C.; Poon, C.: Long-term mechanical and durability properties of recycled aggregate concrete prepared with the incorporation of fly ash. Cem. Concr. Compos. 37, 12–19 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Das, C.S.; Dey, T.; Dandapat, R.; Mukharjee, B.B.; Kumar, J.: Performance evaluation of polypropylene fibre reinforced recycled aggregate concrete. Constr. Build. Mater. 189, 649–659 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Ahmadi, M.; Farzin, S.; Hassani, A.; Motamedi, M.: Mechanical properties of the concrete containing recycled fibers and aggregates. Constr. Build. Mater. 144, 392–398 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Jaganndha, R.; Khan, T.A.: Suitability of glass fibers in high strength recycled aggregate concrete-An experimental investigation. Asian J. Civ Eng. 10(6), 681–689 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kou, S.; Poon, C.; Agrela, F.: Comparisons of natural and recycled aggregate concretes prepared with the addition of different mineral admixtures. Cem. Concr. Compos. 33, 788–795 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. González-Fonteboa, B.; Martínez-Abella, F.: Concretes with aggregates from demolition waste and silica fume. Materials and mechanical properties. Build. Environ. 43, 429–437 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Pedro, D.; De Brito, J.; Evangelista, L.: Durability performance of high-performance concrete made with recycled aggregates, fly ash and densified silica fume. Cem. Concr. Compos. 93, 63–74 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Akhtar, A.; Sarmah, A.K.: Construction and demolition waste generation and properties of recycled aggregate concrete: a global perspective. J. Clean. Prod. 186, 262–281 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Kim, K.; Shin, M.; Cha, S.: Combined effects of recycled aggregate and fly ash towards concrete sustainability. Constr. Build. Mater. 48, 499–507 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Huoth, P.; Suntharavadivel, T.G.; Duan, K.: Effect of silica fume on recycled aggregate concrete. In: Smith, S.T. (ed.) 23rd Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, vol. 1, NSW, pp. 249–254 (2014)

  14. Dilbas, H.; Şimşek, M.; Çakır, Ö.: An investigation on mechanical and physical properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) with and without silica fume. Constr. Build. Mater. 61, 50–59 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Akça, K.R.; Çakır, Ö.; Ipek, M.: Properties of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete using recycled aggregates. Constr. Build. Mater. 98, 620–630 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Bostanci, S.C.; Limbachiya, M.; Kew, H.: Portland-composite and composite cement concretes made with coarse recycled and recycled glass sand aggregates: engineering and durability properties. Constr. Build. Mater. 128, 324–340 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Barbudo, A.; de Brito, J.; Evangelista, L.; Bravo, M.; Agrela, F.: Influence of water-reducing admixtures on the mechanical performance of recycled concrete. J. Clean. Prod. 59, 93–98 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Ali, B.; Qureshi, L.A.; Raza, A.; Nawaz, M.A.; Safi Ur, R.; Rashid, M.U.: Influence of glass fibers on mechanical properties of concrete with recycled coarse aggregates. Civ. Eng. J. 5, 1007–1019 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Ali, B.; Qureshi, L.A.; Nawaz, M.A.; Aslam, H.M.U.: Combined influence of fly ash and recycled coarse aggregates on strength and economic performance of concrete. Civ. Eng. J. 5, 832–844 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Bui, N.K.; Satomi, T.; Takahashi, H.: Effect of mineral admixtures on properties of recycled aggregate concrete at high temperature. Constr. Build. Mater. 184, 361–373 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Islam, M.S.; Ahmed, S.J.U.: Influence of jute fiber on concrete properties. Constr. Build. Mater. 189, 768–776 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Cartuxo, F.; de Brito, J.; Evangelista, L.; Jiménez, J.; Ledesma, E.: Increased durability of concrete made with fine recycled concrete aggregates using superplasticizers. Materials (Basel) 9, 98 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Jumadurdiyev, A.; Ozkul, M.H.; Saglam, A.R.; Parlak, N.: The utilization of beet molasses as a retarding and water-reducing admixture for concrete. Cem. Concr. Res. 35, 874–882 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Gao, X.; Yang, Y.; Deng, H.: Utilization of beet molasses as a grinding aid in blended cements. Constr. Build. Mater. 25, 3782–3789 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Weifeng, L.I.; Suhua, M.A.; Shengbiao, Z.; Xiaodong, S.: Physical and chemical studies on cement containing sugarcane molasses. J. Therm. Anal. Calorim. 118, 83–91 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Li, H.; Jiang, Z.; Yang, X.; Yu, L.; Zhang, G.; Wu, J.; Liu, X.: Sustainable resource opportunity for cane molasses: use of cane molasses as a grinding aid in the production of Portland cement. J. Clean. Prod. 93, 56–64 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Akar, C.; Canbaz, M.: Effect of molasses as an admixture on concrete durability. J. Clean. Prod. 112, 2374–2380 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Juenger, M.C.G.; Jennings, H.M.: New insights into the effects of sugar on the hydration and microstructure of cement pastes. Cem. Concr. Res. 32, 393–399 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Rashid, K.; Tariq, S.; Shaukat, W.: Attribution of molasses dosage on fresh and hardened performance of recycled aggregate concrete. Constr. Build. Mater. 197, 497–505 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. ASTM C143/C143M-15a, Standard Test Method for Slump of Hydraulic-Cement Concrete. In: ASTM International, West Conshohocken (2015)

  31. BS EN 12390-3, Testing of hardened concrete, Part 3: Compressive Strength of Test Specimens. In: Book of Standards, London (2002)

  32. ASTM C1585-13, Standard Test Method for Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-Cement Concretes. In: Annual Book of Standards, West Conshohocken (2013)

  33. Kurda, R.; de Brito, J.; Silvestre, J.D.: Influence of recycled aggregates and high contents of fly ash on concrete fresh properties. Cem. Concr. Compos. 84, 198–213 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Singh, S.B.; Munjal, P.; Thammishetti, N.: Role of water/cement ratio on strength development of cement mortar. J. Build. Eng. 4, 94–100 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Rao, A.: Experimental Investigation on Use of Recycled Aggregates in Mortar and Concrete. Civ. Eng. Dep. Eng. Indian Inst. Technol, Kanpur (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Khatri, R.P.; Sirivivatnanon, V.: Methods for the determination of water permeability of concrete. Mater. J. 94, 257–261 (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Armaghani, J.M.; Larsen, T.J.; Romano, D.C.: Aspects of concrete strength and durability. Transp. Res. Rec. 1335, 63–69 (1992)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, 47050, Pakistan

    Babar Ali, Hassan Sardar Baig, Shahbaz Malik, Muhammad Din & Hafiz Muhammad Usman Aslam

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Swedish College of Engineering and Technology, Wah Cantt, 47060, Pakistan

    Liaqat Ali Qureshi

Authors
  1. Babar Ali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Liaqat Ali Qureshi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hassan Sardar Baig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Shahbaz Malik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Muhammad Din
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hafiz Muhammad Usman Aslam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Babar Ali.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ali, B., Qureshi, L.A., Baig, H.S. et al. Effect of Molasses and Water–Cement Ratio on Properties of Recycled Aggregate Concrete. Arab J Sci Eng 45, 3455–3467 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-019-04117-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-019-04117-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation