Treatment method of coal bottom ash (CBA) and circular economy of waste management in sustainable concret

Abstract

The study presents the influence on some mechanical properties of concrete using coal bottom slag (CBA) from thermal power plants to replace fine aggregate. The surface of CBA is treated by physical and chemical methods to enhance the surface adhesion. The physical method is performed by using dry sand to clean the slag surface in a Los Angeles rotary drum. The chemical method is carried out by soaking CBA in saturated lime solution for different periods of time or in sulfuric acid solution with different concentrations. Experimental results show that CBA surface treatment methods help improve the slump as well as the compressive strength, tensile (spliting tensile) strength and density of concrete.