Utilizing of oil shale ash as a construction material: A systematic review

Abstract

Oil shale ash (OSA) is proven as a self-cementitious material that consists of two parts; a cementitious part represented by its high content of CaO, and a Pozzolanic part represented by its content of Al2O3, SiO2, and Fe2O3. OSA can be used in the various applications of the construction industry and building technology to minimize environmental risks and promote sustainability. This review aims to survey the research efforts on using OSA for construction applications and map the research views from the literature through a coherent and systematic mixed reviewing methodology (bibliometric analysis and systematic review). Overall, 528 publications were collected and then screened to 38 studies. The bibliometric mapping was implemented for the keyword’s occurrence and the tested properties of construction materials containing OSA. This review concluded that the utilization of OSA in construction materials has considerably interesting pathways and presents a basis for future optimization in concrete, mortar, geopolymer, building blocks, glass–ceramic, aggregate, asphalt binder, and soil stabilization agent. However, this utilization negatively affects several aspects of each type of the reviewed material. More investigations are required to provide a better understanding of the mechanical properties and durability of OSA-based concrete for its mass usage in broad applications and widespread in the construction industry. This systematic review provides a thorough understanding of gaps and existing opportunities for research and is expected to motivate researchers to be involved in this range of studies.