Investigation the effects of adding biochar to concrete mixture experimentally on performance properties

ABSTRACT

The global release of carbon dioxide due to human activity raises concerns about the planet's future. These days, the construction sector accounts for a significant portion of emissions; energy use in the sector accounts for roughly 12% of overall emissions, and the cement sector is responsible for 8% of world CO2 emissions. Alternative elements are now used in cement compositions to reduce their negative effects on the environment. Fly ash, a waste product from companies that burn coal, is one substance that is frequently employed. Nonetheless, the overall emissions from the production of concrete may be significantly reduced by a product that is renewable and sinks carbon emissions. Biochar, a byproduct of the pyrolysis of biomass, is one product that could be appropriate for this. In order to assess the performance attributes, concrete containing biochar ratios of 4, 8, and 12 percent based on the cement weight was examined. In order to test this, 100 mm cubes were cast and their compressive strength was measured after 28 and 56 days in the lab. The qualities of workability, density, microstructure, and chemical composition were also assessed. The outcome demonstrated that concrete mixes containing biochar had much less workability. Additionally, the density dropped as the biochar ratio mixture. The similar thing occurred in terms of compressive strength; after 28 days, the sample containing 12 percent had a compressive strength of 48 MPa whereas the comparative species had a compressive strength of 69 MPa. After an additional 28 days of curing, the sample with 12% biochar showed the greatest gain in compressive strength. The samples with and without the addition of biochar did not exhibit any discernible differences in the FTIR.

Keywords:
Biochar; Concrete mixture; Density; Workability; Microstructure; Compressive strength