Assessing the Performance of Concrete with Corn Cob Ash as a Supplementary Cementitious Material
This research investigates the viability of Corn Cob Ash (CCA) as a sustainable supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to replace Portland cement in concrete mixtures. The United States massive annual corn production generates a significant, underutilized stream of agricultural waste. By diverting this waste into concrete production, this project aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry, which is significantly contributed to by cement manufacturing, while creating a higher-value product from a renewable resource. The research focuses on optimizing the replacement ratios and processing methods to achieve compressive strength and durability metrics that meet or exceed industry standards.


Mission
The primary mission of this research is to determine the feasibility of a 20-30% replacement of Portland cement with Corn Cob Ash and to evaluate whether such mixtures can meet or exceed standard compressive strength and workability requirements.
Information
PI name: Dr. Ferraro
Institution and department: University of Florida: Civil & Coastal Engineering Department
Time Affiliated: April 2025-Present
