Influence of Biomass Ash on the Performance and Durability of Mortar

Abstract This work revolves around the study of the partial substitution of cement by biomass ash (residue generated during incineration of wood waste) in mortar. The introduction of wood ash in the cement formulation allows solving some problems related to the lack of construction materials and protecting the environment. To carry out this work we have introduced wood ash as an addition which partially substitutes cement at three different replacement percentages (5%, 10% and 15%). We carried out tests on mortar in the fresh state (consistency, density and occluded air); evaluated its performance in the hardened state (compressive and flexural tensile strength), dimensional stability and its durability (water absorption by immersion and by capillarity as well as resistance to chlorides and acidic environments followed by XRD). Results obtained will be compared with the results of control samples with 0% substitution rate. The results of this valorisation show that the incorporation of 5% of ash fillers in the cement improves mechanical resistance as well as certain durability parameters.