Optimization of Bagasse Ash and Recycled Aggregates in M40 Concrete for Sustainable Pavement Construction: A Fuzzy Logic-Based Approach

The growing concern for sustainability in the construction industry has led to the exploration of alternative materials to reduce the negative environmental impacts of the demanding use of concrete production. This study investigates the potential use of bagasse ash as a partial replacement for cement and the complete replacement of natural aggregates with recycled aggregates in M40-grade concrete to develop a sustainable and cost-effective pavement material. The percentage replacement with bagasse ash ranged from 10% to 40%, with experimental evaluations focusing on compressive, split tensile, and flexural strengths at 7 and 28 days. Previous results indicated a loss of strength with a replacement of more than 25%, which requires further investigation with intermediate replacement rates of 21%, 22%, 23%, and 24%. The optimal replacement percentage was 22%, offering a positive trade-off between mechanical performance and sustainability. Furthermore, a fuzzy logic-based predictive model was used to validate the experimental results, which confirmed the optimal replacement percentage. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of using bagasse ash and recycled aggregates in pavement construction, ensuring waste valorization and reduction of carbon footprint. This research offers an integrated framework for designing sustainable concrete and ensuring structural performance and economic viability in road infrastructure projects.