An Experimental Study on Concrete Strength Optimization with Surkhi as an Eco-Friendly Sand Substitute

Abstract

Concrete is a widely used construction material, with sand as key component. However, excessive extraction of sand has led to a significant environmental consequences, including erosion, ecological imbalance, habitat destruction, and water quality issues. This study aims to develop an economical and sustainable alternative to traditional sand-based concrete while maintaining its structural integrity. It explores the potential of using Surkhi (a waste product from burnt clay bricks) as a partial replacement of sand in concrete. For this study, 120 concrete cube samples were prepared in the laboratory.Concrete cubes of M20 and M25 grades were prepared using design and nominal mixes, with different proportions of Surkhi (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) and tested to evaluate the workability, cost-effectiveness, and compressive strength. Compressive strength tests were conducted on concrete cubes at 7 and 28 days to investigate their mechanical properties. The results shows that a 10% replacement of sand with Surkhi optimizes the strength and workability of concrete without compromising its performance, thus supporting sustainable construction practices. However, the negative impact in concrete strength due to addition of higher proportions of Surkhi should be carefully considered. Furthermore, a cost analysis indicates that replacing sand with Surkhi can help to reduce the production costs, while promoting its use as an eco-friendly alternative. The findings provides valuable insights into the potential of Surkhi to reduce environmental damage and costs without compromising performance at moderate replacement levels. However, further research is recommended to assess the long-term durability and structural integrity of Surkhi-based concrete in various applications.