Mechanical and durability performance of sustainable concrete with the inclusion of alternative fine aggregate

Abstract

Natural river sand has become less readily available in recent years due to the expansion of the building sector. Due to the scarcity of river sand, researchers seek an alternative fine aggregate material that does not compromise strength and durability. The sustainability advantages of using coal bottom ash, steel slag, eco sand, and quarry dust as a potential substitute for traditional fine aggregates can be attributed to the following: the eradication of the necessity to discard these wastes in landfills, as well as the provision of an alternate source for natural raw materials. Consequently, the adverse environmental effects linked with the processing and mining of natural aggregates are avoided. Natural river sand and quarry sand are utilised to partially replace them with industrial residues such as Steel Slag (SS), Coal Bottom Ash (CBA), and Eco Sand (ES). Microstructural characteristics of alternative fine aggregates, such as SEM and EDS were analysed. This article discusses the mechanical, fresh, and durability characteristics of concrete using alternative fine aggregate. The test findings were compared with those of concrete made from a control mix. Mix-A with 17.5% coal bottom ash and 12.5% eco sand achieved the highest mechanical strength properties, while Mix-B with 15% steel slag and 85% quarry sand achieved the highest mechanical strength properties. The test findings from this study showed that concrete made from industrial waste materials including CBA, ES, and SS performed well in terms of durability and strength. Therefore, the well-graded coal bottom ash, eco sand, and steel slag improved the concrete’s strength and provided a reliable source for concrete production.