Thesis Defence: Development of Sustainable Low Carbon Cementitious Composite Incorporating Wood Ash and Basalt Powder for Enhanced Strength and Durability
April 14 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Mohd Akif Razi, supervised by Dr. Shahria Alam, will defend their thesis titled “Development of Sustainable Low Carbon Cementitious Composite Incorporating Wood Ash and Basalt Powder for Enhanced Strength and Durability” in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering.
An abstract for Mohd Akif Razi’s thesis is included below.
Defences are open to all members of the campus community as well as the general public. Please email shahria.alam@ubc.ca to receive the Zoom link for this defence.
Abstract
This research explores the potential of wood ash and basalt powder in developing sustainable, low-carbon cementitious composites. The study evaluates the effectiveness of wood ash as a supplementary cementitious material and basalt powder as a sand substitute in mortar and concrete mixtures. Wood ash was incorporated as cement replacement up to 30%, and basalt powder replaced the sand up to 100%. A series of experimental tests were carried out to assess fresh properties, mechanical performance, microstructural characteristics, and durability, including freeze-thaw resistance, chloride penetration, sorptivity, and elevated temperature exposure. Results indicate that increasing wood ash content was detrimental, whereas increasing basalt powder was reported to impact the mortar and concrete properties positively. At optimal replacement levels, wood ash enhances long-term strength due to its pozzolanic activity, while basalt powder improves particle packing, leading to denser concrete. The optimal replacement ratio of wood ash was recorded as 10% in both mortar and concrete mixes. In the case of basalt powder, the optimal replacement was 100% and 50% in mortars and concrete, respectively. However, the addition of these materials resulted in reduced workability, requiring appropriate admixtures for practical applications. Besides, incorporating wood ash and basalt powder in concrete production can reduce environmental impact by utilizing industrial waste, lowering carbon emissions, and minimizing the depletion of natural resources. These findings provide valuable insights for researchers and industry professionals seeking sustainable alternatives in modern construction.
