Feasibility study on compost as partial replacement for fine aggregate in concrete

Abstract

The current paper validates the possibility of the usage of recycled organic matter in concrete. The amount of decomposable matter generated as waste is increasing at an alarming rate due to the evolution and adaptation of new edible food products in the society. Also countries with prominent agricultural resources like India also contribute to large amount of bio degradable wastes from farms and markets. Hence compost which is generally beneficial as a manure in agricultural sector is chosen as a replacement material for river sand, which has to be preserved to maintain the eco system. The dual benefits of making use of compost in concrete thereby reducing the magnitude of bio degradable waste disposal and going for a green alternative in place of conventional sand are the objectives of this paper. Three different variations of partial replacement is tried with the concrete mix. The cubes and cylinders are tested for understanding the mechanical characteristics of the concrete mix with green waste material. Test results have shown that concrete with the compost material under study is in par with the conventional concrete mix.