Utilization of recycled refractory brick as fine aggregate on various properties of sustainable concrete

Abstract

One of the leading global concerns of modern time is industrial waste management, particularly in major cities lacking dumpsites. Brick waste is a non-biodegradable waste with a prolonged disintegration process, recycling it a difficult operation. The processing and management of waste materials are causing enormous hazards across the world. Due to rising demand in construction industry, lack of natural depositories are knockingsince aggregates regulate the maximum proportion of concrete structures, and plentyresearches are carried outon reuse of waste materials to developsustainable concrete. A comprehensive experimental investigation has been implemented in this study regarding the utilization of recycled refractory bricks (RRB) by crushing into the form of fine aggregate (FA). Eight concrete mixes are prepared with 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 70, and 100% replacement level of FA by RRB. Fulfilling casting and de-molding, the specimens have been cured for 7 and 28 days. Then the physico-mechanical parameters including compressive strength (CS) by both destructive and non-destructive method, split tensile strength (STS), and weight variation have been studied. Rare existing literature is found where both destructive and non-destructive compressive strength is evaluated and compared with concrete incorporating RRB. The experimental findings indicated that RRB enhanced compressive behavior for all specimens where as 10% and 20% replacement specimens outperforming all other concrete specimens. For split tensile strength, 10–30% replacement level provided better performance, whereas 10% one presented optimum. Accuracy prediction of CS by non-destructive test (NDT) also meets the expectations for all types of concrete specimens and according to BIS specification the Rebound CS values are within ± 25% of the destructive CS.The higher replaced specimens have less notable split tensile behavior. RRB aggregate influences weight variation on the concrete specimens. Ultimately, practical implementation ofRRB upto 30% substitution of FA in concrete noted as feasible.