Utilization of industrial, agricultural, and construction waste in cementitious composites: A comprehensive review of their impact on concrete properties and sustainable construction practices
Fahad Alsharari
Abstract
The escalating global demand for concrete, coupled with the environmental impact of cement production , necessitates the exploration of sustainable alternatives. This paper aims to quantitatively evaluate the potential of industrial, agricultural, and construction & demolition (C&D) waste as supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs) or aggregate replacements in concrete. A comprehensive literature review assessed the mechanical, physical, and microstructural properties of concrete modified with these waste materials. Critical parameters such as compressive strength , flexural strength , workability, and durability were analyzed at various replacement levels. The results show that fly ash (FA, optimal replacement: 10–20%) can improve compressive strength by up to 30% at 28 days while reducing permeability and increasing long-term durability by 15–20%. Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag , GGBFS) at 30% replacement enhances compressive strength by 25%, and Metakaolin (MK, optimal replacement: 10%) can refine pore structure and increase strength by 40%. Rice Husk Ash (RHA) at 20% replacement improves compressive strength by up to 25% but decreases workability by 10–15%. Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA, 10–20% replacement) also shows strength gains of 15–20%, though it requires careful processing to maintain workability. Corn Cob Ash (CCA, 10% replacement) demonstrates moderate strength improvement of 10–15%. For C&D wastes, waste glass (10–30% replacement) reduces environmental impact and enhances compressive strength by up to 20%. Waste ceramic (10–50% replacement) improves compressive strength by 15–25% and durability by 20–30%. Waste rubber , primarily used for energy absorption at 5–25% replacement, enhances ductility by up to 50%, though it slightly reduces compressive strength by 5–10%. This review confirms that incorporating waste materials into concrete enhances its mechanical properties and reduces its environmental footprint . However, variability in material composition, optimization of mix designs , and long-term performance assessment require further research. The quantitative analysis provides clear guidelines for effectively utilizing waste materials in concrete, contributing to a more sustainable construction industry.