Effect of Sugarcane Bagasse as a Filler on the Performance of Asphalt Mixtures
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70028/cpir.v2i1.91Keywords:
Strength, Stability, Sugarcane , Bagasse, AsphaltAbstract
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a major tropical crop widely cultivated due to its high sugar yield and extensive industrial applications. As the primary source of sucrose, it plays a vital role in the global production of sugar and related by-products such as ethanol, molasses, and jaggery, contributing significantly to the agricultural economies of countries including Brazil, India, Thailand, and Malaysia. However, sugarcane processing generates substantial quantities of bagasse the dry, fibrous residue remaining after juice extraction which is often underutilized or improperly disposed of through open burning or landfilling, leading to environmental concerns such as air pollution and waste accumulation. In Malaysia, one ton of processed sugarcane can produce approximately 280 kg of bagasse, highlighting the urgency of sustainable waste management strategies. This study investigates the potential use of sugarcane bagasse as a filler material in asphalt mixtures, focusing on its effects on the physical and mechanical properties of asphalt performance. The research further aims to determine the optimum percentage of bagasse filler for enhancing asphalt mixture performance. Modified asphalt mixtures were evaluated using the Marshall Stability test and the Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) test to assess strength, stability, and overall performance characteristics. The findings indicate that incorporating sugarcane bagasse in proportions ranging from 4% to 8% by filler weight can significantly improve stability, tensile strength, and moisture resistance. These results demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing sugarcane bagasse as a sustainable alternative filler, supporting eco-friendly pavement construction and contributing to the circular reuse of agricultural waste.
Downloads
References
N. S. Mashaan, D. O. Oguntayo, and C. Dassanayake, “Waste by-products in asphalt pavement construction: A review,” MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 18, no. 17, Art. no. 4092, Sep. 01, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18174092
S. A. Gani, E. E. Putri, B. M. Adji, A. Hakam, and J. Makinda, “Investigation on the Performance of Limestone as Filler on Various Pavement Mixtures,” Civil and Environmental Engineering, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 618-629, Dec. 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.2478/cee-2023-0056
A. Murodif, A. M. Fauzi, Erizal, and L. Karlinasari, “Environmental Impact of Limestone Mining Using A Life Cycle Assessment Method,” Jurnal Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Alam dan Lingkungan (JPSL), vol. 15, no. 1, Art. no. 122, Jan. 07, 2025,
doi: https://doi.org/10.29244/jpsl.15.1.122
P. Babashamsi, N. I. M. Yusoff, H. Ceylan, and N. G. M. Nor, “Recycling Toward Sustainable Pavement Development: End-Of-Life Considerations in Asphalt Pavement,” Highway and Transportation Engineering, vol. 78, no. 7-2, July. 27, 2016,
doi: https://doi.org/10.11113/jt.v78.9470
B. Xing, C. Fang, X. Lyu, W. Fan, and Y. Lyu, “Influence of mineral filler characteristics on the filler–asphalt interfacial behavior,” Advanced Powder Technology, vol. 35, no 10, Art. no. 104636, Oct. 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2024.104636
Guangxun E, J. Zhang, Q. Shen, P. Ji, J. Wang, and Y. Xiao, “Influence of Filler Type and Rheological Properties of Asphalt Mastic on the Asphalt Mastic–Aggregate Interaction,” MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 16, no 2, Art. no. 574, Jan. 06, 2023,
doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16020574
H. F. A. Alabady, and A. H. Abed, “Effect of Quality and Quantity of Locally Produced Filler on Moisture Damage Hot Asphaltic Mixtures,” Transportation Science and Technology, E3S Web Conf., vol. 427, Art. no. 03039, pp. 8, Sep. 13, 2023,
doi: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202342703039
A. H. Aljassar, S. Metwali, and M. A. Ali, “Effect of Filler Types on Marshall Stability and Retained Strength of Asphalt Concrete,” International Journal of Pavement Engineering, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 47-51, Jan. 31, 2007, doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10298430410001733491
A. D. Bortoli, “Understanding the environmental impacts of virgin aggregates: critical literature review and primary comprehensive Life Cycle Assessments,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 415, Art. no. 137629, Aug. 20, 2023,
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137629
Z. Jwaida, Q. A. A. Quraishy, R. R. A. Almuhanna, A. Dulaimi, L. F. A. Bernardo, and J. M. D. A. Andrade, “The Use of Waste Fillers in Asphalt Mixtures: A Comprehensive Review,” MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 801-826, Sep. 24, 2024,
doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/civileng5040042
L. Pratiwi, E. E. Putri, B. M. Adji, and A. Satriawan, “Sustainable Asphalt Mixtures Using Agricultural Waste Fillers: A Systematic Review of Rice Husk Ash, Bagasse Ash and Palm Shell Ash,” Civil and Environmental Engineering, Oct. 08, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.2478/cee-2026-0014
L. Ou, H. Zhu, R. Chen, C. Su, and X. Yang, “Effect of Industrial Solid Waste as Fillers on the Rheology and Surface Free Energy of Asphalt Mastic,” MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 17, no. 5, Art. no. 1125, Feb. 29, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17051125
Asebiomo, J.O., Aderinola, O.S., Ejigboye, P.O. et al., “Evaluation of Corn Cob Ash as Mineral Filler in Asphalt Mixture,” Int. J. Pavement Res. Technol, vol. 18, no. 7, pp. 1574-1585, May. 16, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42947-024-00440-0
R. Tisnawan, R. R. Husaini, A. Kurnain, and R. Saputra, “Marshall Performance Analysis of Eggshells and Cement as Filler in Asphalt Concrete Mixtures (AC-WC),” JIM, vol 2, no. 1, Feb. 02, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.58794/jim.v2i1.633
N. Sathiparan, A. Anburuvel, and V. V. Selvam, “Utilization of agro-waste groundnut shell and its derivatives in sustainable construction and building materials – A review,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 66, Art. no. 105866, May. 01, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.105866
U. U. Imoh, A. O. Adeboje, E. R. Adekola, E. R. Adekola, and M. M. Rad, “Effect of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash on the sustainable performance of hot-mix asphalt: A case study of experimental and numerical analysis,” Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 24, Art. no. e05769, Jul. 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2026.e05769
P. K. Akarsh, G. O. Ganesh, S. Marathe, and R. Rai, “Incorporation of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash to investigate the mechanical behavior of Stone Mastic Asphalt,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 353, Art. no. 129089, Oct. 24, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129089
A. Zia, and A. A. Khan, “Effectiveness of bagasse ash for performance improvement of asphalt concrete pavements,” SN Appl. Sci, vol. 3, Art. no. 502, Mar. 25, 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04502-x
M. Sarir, Z. Wu, R. Khan, M. Alam, B. Ali, S. Laib, and G. Khan, “Evaluation of stability and flow properties of bagasse ash as a filler in asphalt concrete for sustainable infrastructure,” Adv. Sci. Technol. Res. J., vol. 19, no. 5, 2025,
doi: https://doi.org/10.12913/22998624/202290
H. K. Sanij, R. Babagoli, and R. M. Elyasi, “Enhancing stone matrix asphalt performance with sugarcane bagasse ash: Mechanical properties and machine learning-based predictions using XGBoost and random forest,” Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 23, Art. no. e05186, Dec. 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05186
P.K. Akarsh, S. Marathe, H. K. Sapal, and Akshaya Krishna N., “Synergistic effects of natural fibres and agro-waste ash on the engineering and sustainability of stone-matrix asphalt mixes,” International Journal of Transportation Science and Technology, Mar. 01, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijtst.2025.02.010
L. Mirzaei, T. Ghebrab, C. B. Fedler, “Review and Evaluation of Agricultural Biomass Ashes as Supplementary Cementitious Materials for Sustainable Concrete,” MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 13, no. 11, Art. no. 3571, Nov. 05, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13113571
ASTM D5, “Standard Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Materials,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, USA, 2020
ASTM D36, “Standard Test Method for Softening Point of Bitumen (Ring-and-Ball Apparatus),” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, USA, 2020
BS EN 933-1, “Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates - Determination of particle size distribution. Sieving method,” London: BSI., 2012
BS 812-110, “Testing aggregates - Methods for determination of aggregate crushing value (ACV),” London: BSI., 1990
BS 812-112, “Testing aggregates - Method for determination of aggregate impact value (AIV),” London: BSI., 1990
ASTM D6927, “Standard Test Method for Marshall Stability and Flow of Asphalt Mixtures,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, USA, 2022
ASTM D6931, “Standard Test Method for Indirect Tensile (IDT) Strength of Asphalt Mixtures,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, USA, 2017
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Zulaika Nor Aishah Mohammad Rosman, Wan Noor Hin Mior Sani, Nik Nur Dina Nik Azmi, Indra Mawardi (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
