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

Study on the microscopic mechanism of the influence of partial replacement of cement with biomass ash on paste strength | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Study on the microscopic mechanism of the influence of partial replacement of cement with biomass ash on paste strength Shaoqiang Guo, Huimei Zhang, Chao Yuan, Yuzhang Bi, Xiujian Gao, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9057714/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract 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. Physical sciences/Engineering Physical sciences/Materials science biomass ash supplementary cementitious material cement paste mechanical properties microstructure Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviews received at journal 03 May, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 22 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 22 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 20 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 07 Apr, 2026 Editor invited by journal 07 Apr, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 10 Mar, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 10 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 07 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9057714","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":620602290,"identity":"32f4b17a-baf2-43cb-84fb-5792f007932a","order_by":0,"name":"Shaoqiang Guo","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Xi'an University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Shaoqiang","middleName":"","lastName":"Guo","suffix":""},{"id":620602291,"identity":"bffdeb9e-a722-4db1-99ef-68140d36221b","order_by":1,"name":"Huimei Zhang","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA70lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACCSBmbGDgAZKNDz5USMjJk6Kl2XDGGQtjwwYitYAAmzBvW0UiwwECOuRnNz97+HXHYRnd9uY2xpnzJBIYG5gfPrqBRwvjnGPmxrJnDvOYnTnY9uDjNok8dgY2Y+McPFqYJRLMpCXbgFpuJLYbztwmUczYwMMmjU8Lm0T6N4iW+w/bpHnnSCQ2HCCghUcix0zyI9gWRqCWBiK0SEjklEkztqUD/ZIIDORjEsaGzQT8Ij8jfZvkzzZre7Pjxx8++FBTJyfP3vzwMT4tIMDMg8oloBwEGH8QoWgUjIJRMApGMAAAR6JMvEFwk90AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Xi'an University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Huimei","middleName":"","lastName":"Zhang","suffix":""},{"id":620602296,"identity":"e0eae98b-82bc-4845-8945-0f4b16b95c58","order_by":2,"name":"Chao Yuan","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Xi'an University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Chao","middleName":"","lastName":"Yuan","suffix":""},{"id":620602298,"identity":"3d3f2d77-2938-4749-8d8d-9afdf6ad4b90","order_by":3,"name":"Yuzhang Bi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yuzhang","middleName":"","lastName":"Bi","suffix":""},{"id":620602301,"identity":"34612d11-9a05-4e7a-a9df-73193318eb80","order_by":4,"name":"Xiujian Gao","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Xi'an University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Xiujian","middleName":"","lastName":"Gao","suffix":""},{"id":620602303,"identity":"042ec682-0ab9-4669-9388-1ade6bd22765","order_by":5,"name":"Weihang Hua","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Xi'an University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Weihang","middleName":"","lastName":"Hua","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-07 10:39:33","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9057714/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9057714/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":106960871,"identity":"061bf58e-f355-478c-8a65-e970d7d73086","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-15 09:23:29","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2147991,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9057714/v1_covered_fec09e34-0bcf-4036-bed2-23d359eadc2f.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Study on the microscopic mechanism of the influence of partial replacement of cement with biomass ash on paste strength","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"biomass ash, supplementary cementitious material, cement paste, mechanical properties, microstructure","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9057714/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9057714/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Study on the microscopic mechanism of the influence of partial replacement of cement with biomass ash on paste strength","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-04-13 10:58:29","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9057714/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-03T23:55:37+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"239923169190853558396261357974016334636","date":"2026-04-23T01:44:25+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-22T12:02:02+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"329172302342452013426045250971242042315","date":"2026-04-20T04:27:11+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"1431346590078626338081492958203940857","date":"2026-04-20T03:16:49+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-04-07T04:55:31+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-04-07T04:38:26+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-03-10T09:23:12+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-03-10T09:22:37+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2026-03-07T10:31:51+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"d0bfe667-6a74-490d-a0b5-aceada13b3fa","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 13th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-03T23:55:37+00:00","index":29,"fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[{"id":66047614,"name":"Physical sciences/Engineering"},{"id":66047615,"name":"Physical sciences/Materials science"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-13T10:58:29+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-04-13 10:58:29","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9057714","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9057714","identity":"rs-9057714","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}