Strength Properties of High-Performance Concrete with Green Banana (Musa acuminata) Peel Ash as Partial Cement Replacement

Strength Properties of High-Performance Concrete with Green Banana (Musa acuminata) Peel Ash as Partial Cement Replacement | 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 Research Article Strength Properties of High-Performance Concrete with Green Banana (Musa acuminata) Peel Ash as Partial Cement Replacement Abdirashid Abdullahi Mohamed, Ahmed Abdirizak Dirie, Sani Aliyu Abubakar, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8948227/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 11 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study investigated the suitability of using green banana peel ash (GBPA) as a partial replacement for cement in high-performance concrete (HPC). Green banana peels were collected, dried, and burned at a controlled temperature of 800°C to produce ash, which was then ground and sieved through a 75 µm sieve. The physical and chemical characteristics of GBPA were evaluated through particle size analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The XRF results showed SiO₂ content of 29.989%, Al₂O₃ of 3.706%, and Fe₂O₃ of 1.294%. The physical properties revealed a specific gravity of 2.34 and moisture content of 1.0%. Concrete mixes were prepared with GBPA replacing cement at 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight, maintaining a constant water-cement ratio of 0.30 and total binder content of 450 kg/m³. A total of 90 specimens were cast and tested for compressive strength and splitting tensile strength at 7, 14, and 28 days of curing. The control mix achieved compressive strength of 55.87 MPa at 28 days, while the 5% GBPA replacement achieved 48.51 MPa, 10% achieved 39.34 MPa, 15% achieved 30.45 MPa, and 20% achieved 28.31 MPa. Splitting tensile strength followed a similar trend, with the control achieving 4.64 MPa at 28 days, while GBPA-modified mixes ranged from 3.11 MPa to 3.96 MPa. The relationship between compressive and splitting tensile strengths showed strong correlation with an R² value of 0. 9797.The study concludes that all GBPA replacement levels resulted in reduced mechanical properties compared to the control mix, with the 5% replacement showing the highest strength among GBPA mixes at 48.51 MPa (13.2% lower than control and 3.2% lower than the target). Characterization of GBPA showed pozzolanic properties below the standard requirements. The findings indicate that GBPA at 5% replacement achieved 48.51MPa of compressive strength which is almost comparable to the target strength for HPC (50MPa). Additionally, it showed having acceptable tensile strength at 28 days of curing. Green banana peel ash high-performance concrete compressive strength splitting tensile strength sustainable construction Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 07 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 31 Mar, 2026 Reviews received at journal 13 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 11 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 11 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 11 Mar, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 11 Mar, 2026 Editor invited by journal 27 Feb, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 24 Feb, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 24 Feb, 2026 First submitted to journal 23 Feb, 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. 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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-8948227","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":604201774,"identity":"b366a0f8-12e4-4360-bbc4-973107b9b2ec","order_by":0,"name":"Abdirashid Abdullahi Mohamed","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Kampala International University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Abdirashid","middleName":"Abdullahi","lastName":"Mohamed","suffix":""},{"id":604201775,"identity":"0f2a9e81-a729-47ef-89da-7f7d21f00888","order_by":1,"name":"Ahmed Abdirizak Dirie","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"Kampala International University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ahmed","middleName":"Abdirizak","lastName":"Dirie","suffix":""},{"id":604201776,"identity":"1b3a5c57-7a2b-4c57-bc30-92990548ccef","order_by":2,"name":"Sani Aliyu Abubakar","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Kampala International University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sani","middleName":"Aliyu","lastName":"Abubakar","suffix":""},{"id":604201777,"identity":"1f0a140b-9170-40ad-b2eb-6fd7f16115cf","order_by":3,"name":"Farhan Adan Nuur","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Kampala International University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Farhan","middleName":"Adan","lastName":"Nuur","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-02-23 14:38:36","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8948227/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8948227/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":104586523,"identity":"67b93118-4d69-445c-8050-751060459a82","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-13 15:55:25","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":954638,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"AHMEDANDABDIRASHIDLAST.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8948227/v1_covered_a0475493-a2f3-41f3-aa7e-e7f1789dc4de.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Strength Properties of High-Performance Concrete with Green Banana (Musa acuminata) Peel Ash as Partial Cement Replacement","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":"discover-materials","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"dime","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Materials](https://www.springer.com/journal/43939)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Discover Materials","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Green banana peel ash, high-performance concrete, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, sustainable construction","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8948227/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8948227/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis study investigated the suitability of using green banana peel ash (GBPA) as a partial replacement for cement in high-performance concrete (HPC). Green banana peels were collected, dried, and burned at a controlled temperature of 800\u0026deg;C to produce ash, which was then ground and sieved through a 75 \u0026micro;m sieve. The physical and chemical characteristics of GBPA were evaluated through particle size analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The XRF results showed SiO₂ content of 29.989%, Al₂O₃ of 3.706%, and Fe₂O₃ of 1.294%. The physical properties revealed a specific gravity of 2.34 and moisture content of 1.0%. Concrete mixes were prepared with GBPA replacing cement at 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight, maintaining a constant water-cement ratio of 0.30 and total binder content of 450 kg/m\u0026sup3;. A total of 90 specimens were cast and tested for compressive strength and splitting tensile strength at 7, 14, and 28 days of curing. The control mix achieved compressive strength of 55.87 MPa at 28 days, while the 5% GBPA replacement achieved 48.51 MPa, 10% achieved 39.34 MPa, 15% achieved 30.45 MPa, and 20% achieved 28.31 MPa. Splitting tensile strength followed a similar trend, with the control achieving 4.64 MPa at 28 days, while GBPA-modified mixes ranged from 3.11 MPa to 3.96 MPa. The relationship between compressive and splitting tensile strengths showed strong correlation with an R\u0026sup2; value of 0. 9797.The study concludes that all GBPA replacement levels resulted in reduced mechanical properties compared to the control mix, with the 5% replacement showing the highest strength among GBPA mixes at 48.51 MPa (13.2% lower than control and 3.2% lower than the target). Characterization of GBPA showed pozzolanic properties below the standard requirements. The findings indicate that GBPA at 5% replacement achieved 48.51MPa of compressive strength which is almost comparable to the target strength for HPC (50MPa). Additionally, it showed having acceptable tensile strength at 28 days of curing.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Strength Properties of High-Performance Concrete with Green Banana (Musa acuminata) Peel Ash as Partial Cement Replacement","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-03-13 15:54:56","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8948227/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-04-07T10:58:03+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-01T03:41:20+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-03-13T15:44:46+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"152465087996290011254288900760825207011","date":"2026-03-11T06:00:57+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"115896269200292200736157653089244404019","date":"2026-03-11T05:12:49+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"231916534093643541961274101692408378871","date":"2026-03-11T04:50:12+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-11T04:48:23+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-02-27T09:57:56+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-02-24T10:11:56+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-02-24T10:11:33+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Materials","date":"2026-02-23T14:28:03+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-materials","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"dime","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Materials](https://www.springer.com/journal/43939)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Discover Materials","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"23a39cc5-4800-4a3b-ae08-a5de8c326ddd","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 13th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-27T10:23:40+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-03-13 15:54:56","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8948227","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8948227","identity":"rs-8948227","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}