Assessment of BIS, USBR and ACI Methods of Concrete Mix Design Using SDA as Partial Replacement for Fine Aggregate

Abstract

This study was aimed at comparing the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), United States Bureau of Reclamations (USBR), and American Concrete Institute (ACI) methods of concrete designs using saw dust ash (SDA) as a partial replacement for fine aggregate. Tests were carried out on the determination of the physical properties of concrete ingredients such as the sieve analysis test to determine the grading of the aggregates (fine and granite) which was deduced from the particle size distribution (PSD) curve; specific gravity tests on the materials; density, bulk density and unit weight tests and on the freshly prepared concrete which involves the slump and compaction factor tests to test for the ease or workability of concrete. Tests on the hardened concrete were carried out. The compressive test was done on 150mmx150mmx150mm cubes cured for 7 and 28days and crushed at these ages. The split-tensile test was done on ø150x300mm cylinders cured for 7 and 28 days and experimented to get the tensile strength of the concrete. The flexural test was done as well on 150mmx150mmx450mm beams and cured for 7 and 28 days mmx 150 mmx 150mm cube and cured for 7 and 28 days and experimented. These results were documented and tabulated and graphs were plotted and analyzed based on the obtained data. The sand was partially replaced with Sawdust Ash (SDA) at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% with Sawdust Ash (SDA) and tests were carried out on the freshly prepared and hardened concrete. Three mix ratios were donning on the BIS which gave 1:2.27:2.88/0.43, 1:1.36:3.02/0.45 and 1:1.49:3.09/0.46; for the USBR: 1:2.41:3.36/0.59, 1:2.37:3.29/0.58;1:2.28:3.17/0.56; for ACI: 1:1.93:3.09/0.55, 1:1.68:2.81/0.5, 1:1.58:2.69/0.48. BIS gave the highest strength (compressive, tensile and flexural) and hence should be adopted at an SDA percentage replacement of 5% for effectiveness.