Experimental Study on Partial Replacement of Cement by Calcined Clay in Concrete Using Clay from the Ormanjhi Region of Ranchi, Jharkhand

Experimental Study on Partial Replacement of Cement by Calcined Clay in Concrete Using Clay from the Ormanjhi Region of Ranchi, Jharkhand

Harsh Raj

B.Tech (NIT Warangal, Telangana)

Abstract: Calcined clay is an important supplementary cementitious material that can partially replace cement and support sustainable construction practices. The use of locally available clay resources helps reduce cement consumption, lower carbon emissions, and minimize construction costs. Jharkhand is largely characterized by hilly and lateritic terrain, where different types of clay deposits are naturally available in regions such as Ranchi, Ormanjhi, Kanke, Ratu, Hazaribagh, and Ramgarh. These clay deposits are commonly utilized for brick manufacturing and other local construction activities, indicating their potential suitability for the production of calcined clay. Among these locations, the Ormanjhi region near Ranchi contains abundant clay resources that can be effectively utilized for construction- related applications. This study presents an experimental investigation on the partial replacement of cement with calcined clay in concrete using clay obtained from the Ormanjhi region of Ranchi, Jharkhand. The collected clay was processed and calcined before being incorporated into concrete at different replacement levels. Tests such as workability and compressive strength were conducted to evaluate the performance of the modified concrete. The study highlights the potential of utilizing locally available clay resources in Jharkhand to produce sustainable and cost-effective concrete for construction applications in the region.

INTRODUCTION:

Jharkhand, particularly the Ranchi region, is rich in natural clay deposits due to its lateritic soil formation and favorable geological conditions. Areas such as Ormanjhi near Ranchi contain significant clay resources that are widely used for brick manufacturing and other local construction activities. The availability of these clay deposits provides an opportunity to utilize them in sustainable construction practices. When processed through controlled heating, these clays can be converted into calcined clay, which exhibits pozzolanic properties and can act as a supplementary cementitious material. The utilization of locally available clay resources not only promotes efficient use of natural materials but also helps reduce the dependency on conventional cement. Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in the world, with cement serving as its primary binding component. However, the production of cement is energy-intensive and is responsible for a significant amount of global carbon dioxide emissions. This has led researchers to explore alternative materials that can partially replace cement without compromising the mechanical properties of concrete. In this context, calcined clay has gained considerable attention as a sustainable material for partial cement replacement. The use of calcined clay in concrete can improve durability, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to the development of eco-friendly construction materials. Therefore, the utilization of locally available clay from the Ormanjhi region of Ranchi, Jharkhand presents a promising approach toward sustainable and cost-effective concrete production.

Keywords: Calcined Clay; Partial Cement Replacement; Sustainable Concrete; Supplementary Cementitious Materials; Compressive Strength.

OBJECTIVE:

To experimentally evaluate the effect of partial replacement of cement with calcined clay derived from the Ormanjhi region of Ranchi, Jharkhand, on the properties of concrete, with particular emphasis on workability and compressive strength, in order to assess its potential as a locally available supplementary cementitious material for sustainable concrete production.

METHODOLOGY:

This study adopts an experimental approach to investigate the effect of partial replacement of cement with calcined clay obtained from the Ormanjhi region of Ranchi, Jharkhand, on the properties of concrete. The methodology involves the collection and processing of clay, preparation of calcined clay, production of concrete mixes with different replacement levels, and testing of concrete specimens to evaluate their performance.

The following steps were carried out to perform the study:

1. Collection of Clay: Natural clay samples were collected from the Ormanjhi region near Ranchi, Jharkhand, where clay deposits are abundantly available.

2. Preparation of Calcined Clay: The collected clay was dried, ground into fine powder, and then calcined at a temperature of approximately 600800°C to enhance its pozzolanic properties.

3. Material Selection: The materials used in the study included Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), calcined clay, fine aggregates (sand), coarse aggregates, and potable water.

4. Concrete Mix Preparation: Concrete mixes were prepared with different percentages of calcined clay replacing cement, such as 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%.

5. Casting of Specimens: The prepared concrete was poured into standard cube molds and properly compacted to remove air voids.

6. Curing of Specimens: After 24 hours, the specimens were demolded and cured in water for 7 and 28 days.

7. Testing of Concrete: Tests such as slump test for workability and compressive strength test were conducted to evaluate the performance of the concrete mixes.

The results obtained from these tests were analyzed to determine the optimum percentage of calcined clay that can effectively replace cement while maintaining the required strength and workability of concrete.

OBSERVATION:

During the experimental investigation on the partial replacement of cement with calcined clay obtained from the Ormanjhi region of Ranchi, Jharkhand, concrete mixes were prepared with different percentages of calcined clay replacing cement. The workability of fresh concrete and compressive strength of hardened concrete were measured to evaluate the effect of calcined clay. It was observed that the slump value decreased slightly with increasing calcined clay content due to the finer particle size and higher water absorption capacity of calcined clay. However, at moderate replacement levels, the compressive strength remained comparable or slightly higher than the control mix, indicating the pozzolanic activity of calcined clay. At higher replacement levels, a gradual reduction in strength was observed due to reduced cement content.

Table 1 Experimental readings of workability and Compressive strength.

RESULT:

The experimental results obtained from Table 1 (Experimental Readings) show the variation inworkability and compressive strength of concrete with different percentages of calcined clay used as a partial replacement for cement. The slump values recorded were 80 mm for the control mix (0%), 76 mm for 5%, 72 mm for 10%, 68 mm for 15%, and 64 mm for 20% replacement, indicating a gradual decrease in workability with increasing calcined clay content. The compressive strength results show that the control mix achieved 21 MPa, 26 MPa, and 32 MPa at 7, 14, and 28 days, respectively. For 5% replacement, the strengths obtained were 22 MPa, 27 MPa, and 33 MPa, while 10% replacement produced 23 MPa, 28 MPa, and 34 MPa at the same curing periods. However, at higher replacement levels, the strength values decreased, with 15% replacement showing 21 MPa, 26 MPa, and 31 MPa, and 20% replacement showing 19 MPa, 24 MPa, and 29 MPa at 7, 14, and 28 days, respectively. These results obtained from Table 1 indicate the variation in concrete properties with increasing percentages of calcined clay replacement.

CONCLUSIONS:

From this experimental investigation, it is evident that replacing a portion of cement with calcined clay obtained from the Romania region of Ranchi, Jharkhand affects both the fresh and hardened properties of concrete. The test results showed a gradual reduction in the workability of concrete as the percentage of calcined clay increased. This behavior can be linked to the finer particles of calcined clay and its tendency to absorb more water compared to ordinary Portland cement. The compressive strength results indicated that concrete containing 5% and 10% calcined clay performed similarly or slightly better than the conventional concrete mix. This improvement may occur because calcined clay can react with the by-products of cement hydration and contribute to the formation of additional binding compounds, which helps in improving the internal structure of the concrete. However, when the replacement level increased beyond this range, particularly at 15% and 20%, a decrease in compressive strength was observed. This

reduction can be explained by the lower quantity of cement available in the mix, which limits the formation of the primary binding materials responsible for strength development. Overall, the study suggests that the use of calcined clay as a partial cement replacement is feasible, especially when used in moderate proportions. The availability of clay in the Ormanjhi area of Ranchi makes it a practical material for local construction, and its utilization can contribute to reducing cement consumption and encouraging more sustainable construction practices in the region.

Duration of study:

Table 2 Duration of study.

Acknowledgement:

The authors sincerely acknowledge RTBT Infrastructure Developer Pvt. Ltd., Ranchi (www.rtbtltd.com) for their valuable technical support and cooperation during the experimental study on the partial replacement of cement with calcined clay using clay obtained from the Ormanjhi region of Ranchi, Jharkhand.

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