Evaluation of Rigid Pavements Made From Partial Replacement of Cement With Milled Wood Waste Bottom Ash

This paper presents the feasibility of using Milled Wood Waste Bottom Ash (MWWBA) as a partial replacement for cement in concrete for rigid pavement ascertaining its mechanical properties. Laboratory tests conducted include Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV), Slump Test, Compressive Strength, Flexural Strength, and Split Tensile Strength with varying MWWBA replacement levels of 0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% and testing their physical and mechanical properties. The ACV test yielded a value of 22.33%, indicating good aggregate strength. Slump tests revealed a gradual decrease in workability with increasing MWWBA content, though values remained within acceptable construction limits. Compressive strength tests showed that while strength declined at higher replacement levels, a 10% MWWBA mix maintained satisfactory performance, achieving 25.87 MPa at 28 days, compared to 30.51 MPa for the control mix. Similarly, flexural and split tensile strength tests indicated that the 10% replacement level provided 2.33MPa and 2.55MPa, respectively. Findings suggest that a 10% replacement level offers a viable balance between sustainability and mechanical performance, reducing cement-related costs by 10 – 12% per square meter. While higher replacement levels compromised strength, MWWBA's incorporation at optimal levels contributes to environmental sustainability and resource conservation. It is recommended that further studies that optimize mix designs, investigate alternative additives to enhance the performance of MWWBA-based concrete for rigid pavement development.Abstract: This paper presents the feasibility of using Milled Wood Waste Bottom Ash (MWWBA) as a partial replacement for cement in concrete for rigid pavement ascertaining its mechanical properties. Laboratory tests conducted include Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV), Slump Test, Compressive Strength, Flexural Strength, and Split Tensile Strength with varying MWWBA replacement levels of 0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% and testing their physical and mechanical properties. The ACV test yielded a value of 22.33%, indicating good aggregate strength. Slump tests revealed a gradual decrease in workability with increasing MWWBA content, though values remained within acceptable construction limits. Compressive strength tests showed that while strength declined at higher replacement levels, a 10% MWWBA mix maintained satisfactory performance, achieving 25.87 MPa at 28 days, compared to 30.51 MPa for the control mix. Similarly, flexural and split tensile strength tests indicated that the 10% replacement level provided 2.33MPa and 2.55MPa, respectively. Findings suggest that a 10% replacement level offers a viable balance between sustainability and mechanical performance, reducing cement-related costs by 10 – 12% per square meter. While higher replacement levels compromised strength, MWWBA's incorporation at optimal levels contributes to environmental sustainability and resource conservation. It is recommended that further studies that optimize mix designs, investigate alternative additives to enhance the performance of MWWBA-based concrete for rigid pavement development.