Feasibility study of compost as a partial substitute for fine aggregate in concrete

Abstract

Abstract In this study, vermicompost is replaced for fine aggregate in geopolymer concrete (GPC). Initially mix design is made for GPC and mix proportion is proposed. The vermicompost is replaced at 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% with M sand in GPC. Result indicates the 5% replacement with vermicompost based geopolymer concrete (GPVC) has the compressive strength of 32 N mm−2 (M30 grade) whereas the compressive strength of control specimen made with GPC is 37 N mm−2. Other replacement shows 21 N mm−2, 14 N mm−2 and 11 N mm−2 respectively. The 5% replaced concrete cubes and control specimen are tested at an elevated temperature of 200°C, 400°C, 600°C and 800°C and compared with the control specimen. There is no significant difference observed in weight lost at control (GPC) and GPVC specimen. An elevated temperature, the weight loss is almost 4% at 200°C because of expulsion of water from the concrete. Afterwards only 2% weight loss is observed in remaining elevated temperature. The compressive strength loss is observed at an elevated temperature in GPC and GPVC specimen because of thermal incompatibility between aggregate and the binder. EDX results show M sand and compost contains Si, Al, C, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na and K and it is similar in the elemental composition and SEM image confirms vermicompost contains fine particles.