ABSTRACT
This thesis studied the behavior Corn Cob Ash (CCA) concrete. The study also investigated the effect of Corn Cob Ash on cement and as a partial replacement for cement. The behavior of Corn Cob Ash concrete in aggressive chemical media was then investigated. Chemical analysis of the CCA to determine the elemental oxide composition revealed that it was pozzolanic. CCA is classified in class F using ASTM C618. The effect of using CCA on water/cement ratio of the standard consistency paste as well as initial and final setting times of cement paste revealed that both initial and final setting times increased with increase in the CCA content. Increased substitution of cement with CCA did not affect the soundness of cement adversely. The strength properties of Corn Cob (CCA) concrete were studied using up to 50% CCA as replacement for cement in concrete. The strength of CCA concrete increased with curing period but decreased with increase in CCA content. Increased replacement of cement with CCA reduced the density of concrete and there was a decrease in weight as curing age of cube increased. Durability study of CCA concrete carried out with specimen immersed in 5% and 10% solutions of Acetic acid, Sulphuric acid and Sodium sulphate solutions revealed that in compressive strength increased as age of curing increased in acidic solutions. Loss of weight of CCA concrete with age in chemical solution increases with the increasing acid concentration. For each set of specimen, it was observed that as the acid concentration increases, the extent of surface deterioration also increased.