Effect of solid waste on concrete performance: Innovative use of recycled and secondary materials

Abstract

The reuse and disposal of waste have provoked increasing attention. A novel solution for a medical waste pharmaceutical blister (PB) powder by replacing it with fine aggregates instead of landfills or direct dumping is conducive to environmental protection. The recycling of PB waste is usually challenging and energy-intensive. Waste PB partially replaced the fine aggregate in 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, and silica fume in a constant amount of 2%. In contrast, the broken glass (BG) particles are chosen at different weight fractions of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by the replacement of coarse aggregate. Mechanical properties like compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths at 7, 14, and 28 days of curing in normal water and durability at 90 days of curing in chemical water were tested and compared with M30 conventional concrete. In addition, calcium lignosulfonate is used as a superplasticizer, and a constant 2% silica fume particle is chosen to fill the pores and enhance the strength of concrete. This research illustrates that 10% of BG/10% of PB/2% SF mix exhibits high strength and better bonding ingredients than conventional concrete. The results showed a 14.87% improvement in compressive strength. The splitting tensile and flexural strengths increased by 11.78% and 10.33% after 28 days, respectively. The mix showed better workability.