Unlocking concrete strength: Empowering sustainable practices through effluent recycling in casting and curing

Abstract

This research explores the viability of employing effluent, a by product of sewage treatment plants (STPs), as an alternative resource for casting and curing concrete, with the aim of mitigating the consumption of potable water. Seven distinct combinations were formulated to cast and cure M20 grade concrete using both potable water and effluent. Effluent samples from STPs underwent rigorous testing to assess their compliance with Indian standards (IS). Subsequently, 42 concrete cubes were cast using these water sources and subjected to compressive strength testing. The study unveiled that the “PWE2″ combination, characterized by potable water for casting and effluent for curing, yielded the highest compressive strength at 34.79 MPa. The use of portable water for casting and effluent for curing leads to increase in C-S-H gel by 5.46 % contributing to increase compressive strength observed in XRD test. These findings underscore the potential of effluent reuse as a sustainable practice in the concrete industry, with environmental and economic benefits.