An Approach to a New Supplementary Cementing Material: Arundo donax Straw Ash

Abstract

Arundo donax is a plant native to Asia and is considered an invader species in the Mediterranean region and many tropical zones in the world. These invader plants can be collected to produce a biomass, which can be converted to ash by combustion. The scope of the study is to assess the use of these ashes (Arundo donax straw ash [ADSA]) as supplementary cementing material due to their relatively high silica content. Electron microscopy studies on dried and calcined samples of different plant parts (cane, sheath leaf and leaf) were carried out. Some different cellular structures were identified in the spodogram (remaining skeleton after calcination). Major silica content was found in leaves and sheath leaves. The main element in all the ashes studied, together with oxygen, was potassium (22 to 46% depending on the part of the plant). Chloride content was also high (5–13%), which limits their use to non-steel reinforced concrete. The pozzolanic reactivity of ADSA was assessed in pastes by thermogravimetric analysis and in mortars with ordinary Portland cement based on compressive strength development. Excellent results were found in terms of reactivity.

Leaf surfaces and neolithization - the case of Arundo donax L

“…24%), indicating the alkaline nature of the samples. The elements detected in the A. donax ashes in this work are practically the same as those reported by other authors, although their A. donax leaf ash contained a small amount of Al ( Payá et al., 2018 ), but no sodium (Na).…”

“…Shakoor et al (Shakoor et al, 2016) examined phytoliths of the A. donax leaf, and reported the same elements detected herein, except S and P. In addition, these authors found nitrogen (N) and Al (Table 2). In the study of Payáet al (Payáet al, 2018) the phytoliths appeared to contain only six elements (Table 2).…”

“…Afterwards, the samples were dried in an electric oven at 105°C for 24 h. In order to remove the organic matter, the samples dried at 105°C were then cut into small pieces and transferred to porcelain crucibles. The crucibles were incinerated at 600°C/700°C for 6 h ( Carnelli et al., 2001 ; Payá et al., 2018 ) or 800°C for a period of 2 h, at a heating rate of 10°C min -1 ( Villar-Cociña et al., 2018 ) in a muffle furnace. One part of the ash contents obtained at 600°C was transferred to test tubes and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 , Fischer Scientific, 30%) was added to submerge the ash.…”

Evaluation of the Properties and Usefulness of Ashes from the Corn Grain Drying Process Biomass

“…The directions which are considered primarily when selecting the technology of ashes management are the possibility of fertilizer use. Moreover, they can be used in the production of building materials [7], road construction [8], and mining [9]. However, the choice of the direction of use must be preceded by an examination of basic properties of ashes in order to specify the direction of analysis of the selected solutions.…”

Comparisons of Acid and Water Solubilities of Rice Straw Ash Together with Its Major Ash-Forming Elements at Different Ashing Temperatures: An Experimental Study

“…Applications of biomass ash have been attracting a lot of attention recently in various fields, such as farmland fertilizer [1][2][3], construction material [4,5], adsorbent material [6,7], production material of ceramics, and raw material of metal recovery [7,8]. In all these applications, the soil application as a green, cyclic, and sustainable way has a huger potential and better prospect [9,10].…”