Setting process on mortars containing sugarcane bagasse ash

Abstract This paper presents an experimental study of the effect of partially replace of fine aggregate by sugarcane bagasse ash (CBA) in mortar mixtures in cement reactivity at early ages. The setting times and the initial development of the ultrasonic velocity for mortars produced at various water/cement ratios were evaluated. The objective of this study was to characterize the effects of the partial replacement of fine aggregate by sugarcane bagasse ash in the initial process of cement hydration. Therefore, the CBA used in this study went through different beneficiation processes, by grinding, reburning and sieving, with the objective of improve its features. The results suggest the viability of CBA use to accelerate cement hydration at early ages, with also an observed higher compressive strength.