Abstract

Bamboo leaves were always considered an agricultural waste, as they were often considered useless in almost every aspect. However, it has been found that bamboo leaf ash (BLA) contains pozzolanic properties and is a supplementary cementitious material that can be utilized as an alternative to cement. This research study focuses on the comparison of hollow blocks with and without bamboo leaves as an alternative to cement. This study aims to compare concrete hollow blocks with different percentages of bamboo ash leaves. As bamboo leaf ash (BLA) contains properties that can be a partial replacement for cement, the study evaluated the hollow blocks that are infused with: 0% BLA, 20% BLA, and 40% BLA. In addition, the following characteristics of bamboo-infused hollow blocks were also analyzed: density, moisture content, and strength. The study findings indicated that in terms of strength, it is evident that the 0% bamboo leaf concrete was leading as it obtained higher PSI levels for three consecutive testing days compared to the other hollow blocks. Based on the findings, the study emphasizes that bamboo-infused hollow blocks can only be used as an alternative but not a replacement for concrete. Nonetheless, it is evident that even though it is only an alternative, it still calls for sustainable development as it utilizes renewable resources.

Keywords: bamboo leaves ash, concrete, portland cement, bamboo