Evaluating the Feasibility of using Corn Ash and Wood Ash in Concrete in Florida

Ishan Sathe
NY Developers and Management LLC
Brooklyn, NY

Abdol Chini, Ph.D.
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL

The use of fly ash in concrete has seen a steady rise in the last few decades. Several government agencies in the US have specified a minimum quantity of fly ash as a substitute for Portland cement in concrete. In recent years, the generation of fly ash has reduced due to the decreasing reliance on using coal power plants and it is necessary to start looking at alternative options. Wood ash and corn ash have been considered as potential replacements to fly ash in concrete in countries like Nigeria and India. US is the largest producer of corn with majority of the production in the Midwest. Similarly, plenty of wood waste is available in Florida with almost 2.7 million metric tons being landfilled annually. This study used the literature data on properties of corn ash and wood ash and the test results on their use in concrete to demonstrate the feasibility of using them as a substitute for fly ash in production of low strength concrete in Florida. The environmental impacts of using fly ash along with corn ash and wood ash were also calculated and compared.

Keywords: Corn Ash, Wood Ash, Low Strength Concrete, Environmental Impacts, Waste Products

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