Study on the microscopic mechanism of the influence of partial replacement of cement with biomass ash on paste strength

In order to achieve the effective utilization of biomass ash (BA) as a potential cementitious component, the present work explores the influence of BA, employed as a supplementary cementitious material, on the properties of cement paste. Meanwhile, the mechanism by which various BA replacement levels affect the mechanical strength of cement paste is analyzed via a series of microscopic characterization techniques. In this experimental program, BA was applied as a silica-rich admixture, and cement paste specimens were manufactured by substituting Portland cement with BA at mass ratios ranging from 0% to 50%.According to the macroscopic test results, the fluidity of the fresh paste exhibits a slight decreasing trend with the elevation of BA substitution content. In terms of strength development, an initial increasing trend is observed, followed by a gradual reduction, and the optimal overall performance is achieved at a 20% replacement level. Microscopic analytical results verify that BA possesses noticeable pozzolanic reactivity and is capable of participating in partial hydration reactions. During the hydration procedure, the silica-bearing mineral phases in BA are incorporated into the silicate chains and interlayer structures of C-S-H gels. Furthermore, the relative content of silicate phases within C-S-H gels and their polymerization degree are both remarkably enhanced with increasing BA replacement ratios. The impact of BA content on the pore structure of cement paste differs under varying water-to-binder (w/b) ratios, among which gel pores and mesopores are identified as the dominant factors responsible for the evolution of the overall pore system.