Performance Evaluation of Concrete using Parali Ash as a Supplementary Cementitious Material

Open-field burning of agricultural residue (parali/stubble) is a major contributor to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil degradation in India. This study investigates the feasibility of using parali ash powder as a partial replacement of cement in concrete to promote sustainable construction and mitigate environmental pollution. Concrete mixes were prepared with parali ash replacing cement at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%, and compressive strength was evaluated at 7,14, and 28 days. Results indicate that up to 10% replacement, parali ash concrete achieves compressive strength comparable to conventional concrete, while higher replacement levels lead to gradual strength reduction, particularly at early ages. The study demonstrates that parali ash not only reduces consumption of cement and associated CO₂ emissions but also provides a sustainable solution for agricultural waste management. These findings suggest that parali ash–based concrete is a viable eco-friendly alternative for modern infrastructure without significantly compromising mechanical performances. The compaction factor and workability of concrete show a clear increasing trend with higher percentages of cement replacement by parali ash. At 0% replacement, the compaction factor lies between 0.82 and 0.86, indicating low to medium workability. As the replacement of cement increases from 5% to 15%, there is a gradual improvement in the compaction factor, reflecting medium to good workability. At very high replacement levels of 20% to 30%, the compaction factor further increases to a range of 0.86–0.92, which corresponds to good to very high workability. Overall, the results indicate that incorporating parali ash enhances the workability of concrete rather than reducing it, demonstrating that workability an essential property of concrete—is significantly improved with its addition.