Bamboo stem ash as a sustainable cement replacement in lightweight foam mortar enhancing mechanical thermal and microstructural properties.
This study presents a novel approach to enhancing the properties of lightweight foam mortar (LFM) by utilizing bamboo stem ash (BSA) as a partial cement replacement. Unlike traditional supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash or silica fume, BSA provides a special blend of lightweight...
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Scientific Reports
2025
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2991 |
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| author | Mydin, Md Azree Othuman Azman, Nurul Zahirah Noor Awoyera, Paul O. Özkılıç, Yasin Onuralp Fadugba, Olaolu George Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Omar, Roshartini Datta, Shuvo Dip |
| author_facet | Mydin, Md Azree Othuman Azman, Nurul Zahirah Noor Awoyera, Paul O. Özkılıç, Yasin Onuralp Fadugba, Olaolu George Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Omar, Roshartini Datta, Shuvo Dip |
| author_sort | Mydin, Md Azree Othuman |
| collection | KAB-DR |
| description | This study presents a novel approach to enhancing the properties of lightweight foam mortar (LFM) by utilizing bamboo stem ash (BSA) as a partial cement replacement. Unlike traditional supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash or silica fume, BSA provides a special blend of lightweight properties and a high silica concentration. Thus, the effect of BSA (in proportions of 0–25% and steps of 5%) on the mortars’ fresh, hardened, microscale properties, such as workability, density, strength, durability, and microstructural characteristics, was explored. At 15% BSA replacement, the compressive strength reached 8.25 MPa at 28 days, 7% higher than the control mix (7.7 MPa). The study identifies 15% BSA as the optimal replacement level, striking a balance between mechanical strength, durability, and thermal insulation. Beyond 15%, increased porosity begins to reduce strength, while thermal resistance continues to improve. Thus, a 10–15% replacement range is recommended for applications requiring structural integrity and insulation. The density of the foam mortar decreased from 1000 kg/m3 for the control mix to 960 kg/m3 at 20% BSA replacement, improving the material’s lightweight characteristics. Also, the porosity increased from 24.8% (control) to 30.2% (25% BSA), positively influencing thermal insulation properties. Thermal conductivity measurements indicated a reduction from 0.25 W/mK (control) to 0.18 W/mK at 25% BSA replacement, demonstrating improved thermal resistance. BSA incorporation improves the pore structure and fosters stronger interfacial bonding within the matrix, especially at 15% replacement, according to microstructural investigation using SEM. The water absorption rate increased slightly from 18.2% (control) to 21.6% (25% BSA), still within reasonable bounds for lightweight construction applications. As demonstrated by the mortars’ notable performance, BSA may effectively replace OPC in LFM, improving its mechanical, thermal, and environmental qualities. With the results, BSA has shown potential for developing eco-friendly building materials and aiding in reducing carbon emissions in the built environment. These results show that BSA can be a green and practical substitute for OPC in lightweight building applications, especially for prefabricated panels, insulation layers, and non-load-bearing walls. Its ability to enhance mechanical strength while reducing thermal conductivity makes it a promising material for energy-efficient and sustainable building solutions. |
| format | Article |
| id | oai:idr.kab.ac.ug:20.500.12493-2991 |
| institution | KAB-DR |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Scientific Reports |
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| spelling | oai:idr.kab.ac.ug:20.500.12493-29912025-10-23T00:00:36Z Bamboo stem ash as a sustainable cement replacement in lightweight foam mortar enhancing mechanical thermal and microstructural properties. Mydin, Md Azree Othuman Azman, Nurul Zahirah Noor Awoyera, Paul O. Özkılıç, Yasin Onuralp Fadugba, Olaolu George Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Omar, Roshartini Datta, Shuvo Dip Lightweight foam mortar Bamboo stem ash Compressive strength Durability Thermal conductivity Sustainability in construction Microstructure This study presents a novel approach to enhancing the properties of lightweight foam mortar (LFM) by utilizing bamboo stem ash (BSA) as a partial cement replacement. Unlike traditional supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash or silica fume, BSA provides a special blend of lightweight properties and a high silica concentration. Thus, the effect of BSA (in proportions of 0–25% and steps of 5%) on the mortars’ fresh, hardened, microscale properties, such as workability, density, strength, durability, and microstructural characteristics, was explored. At 15% BSA replacement, the compressive strength reached 8.25 MPa at 28 days, 7% higher than the control mix (7.7 MPa). The study identifies 15% BSA as the optimal replacement level, striking a balance between mechanical strength, durability, and thermal insulation. Beyond 15%, increased porosity begins to reduce strength, while thermal resistance continues to improve. Thus, a 10–15% replacement range is recommended for applications requiring structural integrity and insulation. The density of the foam mortar decreased from 1000 kg/m3 for the control mix to 960 kg/m3 at 20% BSA replacement, improving the material’s lightweight characteristics. Also, the porosity increased from 24.8% (control) to 30.2% (25% BSA), positively influencing thermal insulation properties. Thermal conductivity measurements indicated a reduction from 0.25 W/mK (control) to 0.18 W/mK at 25% BSA replacement, demonstrating improved thermal resistance. BSA incorporation improves the pore structure and fosters stronger interfacial bonding within the matrix, especially at 15% replacement, according to microstructural investigation using SEM. The water absorption rate increased slightly from 18.2% (control) to 21.6% (25% BSA), still within reasonable bounds for lightweight construction applications. As demonstrated by the mortars’ notable performance, BSA may effectively replace OPC in LFM, improving its mechanical, thermal, and environmental qualities. With the results, BSA has shown potential for developing eco-friendly building materials and aiding in reducing carbon emissions in the built environment. These results show that BSA can be a green and practical substitute for OPC in lightweight building applications, especially for prefabricated panels, insulation layers, and non-load-bearing walls. Its ability to enhance mechanical strength while reducing thermal conductivity makes it a promising material for energy-efficient and sustainable building solutions. 2025-10-22T08:29:13Z 2025-10-22T08:29:13Z 2025 Article Mydin, M. A. O., Azman, N. Z. N., Awoyera, P. O., Özkılıç, Y. O., Fadugba, O. G., Abdullah, M. M. A. B., ... & Datta, S. D. (2025). Bamboo stem ash as a sustainable cement replacement in lightweight foam mortar enhancing mechanical thermal and microstructural properties. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 34677. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04447-w http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2991 en Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ application/pdf Scientific Reports |
| spellingShingle | Lightweight foam mortar Bamboo stem ash Compressive strength Durability Thermal conductivity Sustainability in construction Microstructure Mydin, Md Azree Othuman Azman, Nurul Zahirah Noor Awoyera, Paul O. Özkılıç, Yasin Onuralp Fadugba, Olaolu George Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri Omar, Roshartini Datta, Shuvo Dip Bamboo stem ash as a sustainable cement replacement in lightweight foam mortar enhancing mechanical thermal and microstructural properties. |
| title | Bamboo stem ash as a sustainable cement replacement in lightweight foam mortar enhancing mechanical thermal and microstructural properties. |
| title_full | Bamboo stem ash as a sustainable cement replacement in lightweight foam mortar enhancing mechanical thermal and microstructural properties. |
| title_fullStr | Bamboo stem ash as a sustainable cement replacement in lightweight foam mortar enhancing mechanical thermal and microstructural properties. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bamboo stem ash as a sustainable cement replacement in lightweight foam mortar enhancing mechanical thermal and microstructural properties. |
| title_short | Bamboo stem ash as a sustainable cement replacement in lightweight foam mortar enhancing mechanical thermal and microstructural properties. |
| title_sort | bamboo stem ash as a sustainable cement replacement in lightweight foam mortar enhancing mechanical thermal and microstructural properties |
| topic | Lightweight foam mortar Bamboo stem ash Compressive strength Durability Thermal conductivity Sustainability in construction Microstructure |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/2991 |
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