Alternative Construction Materials Research Articles

Investigation on trommeled legacy waste from full-scale mining of old dumpsites: Suitable for valorization or scientific disposal?

The burgeoning interest in resource recovery from old dumpsites has significantly propelled the adoption of Landfill Mining (LFM) in recent years. This study is centred around evaluating the quality of materials recovered from the full-scale LFM activities at two major dumpsites in India, focusing on the valorization potential of the segregated legacy waste. A detailed analysis was conducted on the segregated waste fractions based on particle size (−30 mm, 30 to 6 mm, and −6 mm, as sourced from the sites), employing both batch and column leaching methods across a range of liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratios (0.1–10.0 L/kg).The findings reveal a pronounced concentration of contaminants within the −6 mm fraction compared to the 30 to 6 mm and −30 mm fractions. Column leaching tests revealed a reduction in contaminant concentration, correlating with incremental changes in L/S ratio. Notably, this trend remained consistent across varying particle sizes and specific type of contaminants assessed. Notably, color intensity of leachate reduced significantly from 720 to 1640 Platinum Cobalt Units (PCU) at an L/S ratio of 0.1 L/kg to a minimal 94–225 PCU at an L/S of 10 L/kg. Dissolved salts emerged as a primary concern, marking them as significant contaminants in both leaching methods. The analysis confirmed that the segregated fractions comply with the USEPA Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC), permitting their disposal in non-hazardous waste landfills. However, the elevated presence of dissolved salts, exceeding reuse limits by 5–35 times, limits their open or unrestricted reuse. Despite this, isolated reuse aligns with regulations from the Netherlands and Germany, suggesting viable pathways for compliant utilization. Geotechnical assessments indicate the potential for repurposing the −30 mm fraction as alternative earthfill and construction material. While heavy metal leaching does not pose significant concerns, the prevalent unscientific disposal practices near urban settlements highlight potential human health risks.This investigation enriches the understanding of the physicochemical properties, leaching behaviour, and reuse potential of segregated legacy waste, offering crucial insights for civic authorities in determining appropriate reuse and disposal strategies for such materials.

Surface Wear and Retention Force of Zirconia and PEKK Implant-retained Crowns.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface wear and retention force of telescopic attachments made of zirconia primary crowns and poly-ether- ketone -ketone (PEKK) secondary crowns for 2-implant retained mandibular complete overdentures. Ten healthy completely edentulous patients aged 55-60 years were selected for this study. Each patient received two implants in the mandibular canine regions. Maxillary conventional complete dentures were constructed against implant-retained mandibular overdentures for all patients. Zirconia- PEKK telescopic attachments were fabricated to retain the overdentures where primary copings were constructed of zirconia and secondary ones were constructed of PEKK. Retention force and surface wear were evaluated at the time of overdenture insertion (T0), and after 6 months of overdenture use (T6). The results revealed less wear of zirconia copings compared to PEKK ones at T0 and T6. However, both materials showed insignificant wear after 6 months of overdenture use. A significant increase in retention force was observed after 6 months of overdenture use. Within limitations of this study, PEKK may be considered a promising alternative material for telescopic secondary crowns construction combined to zirconia primary ones, regarding the wear resistance and the satisfactory retention forces.

Environmental performance of bamboo-based office paper production: A comparative study with eucalyptus

Bamboo has being used as alternative raw material for construction, reinforcing fibers, paper production, among other applications. Although its recognized potentials as raw material, there are doubts about its environmental performance compared to traditional wood-based products, including paper production, which hinders bamboo-based paper plants in large scales. This study aims to assess the environmental performance of producing office paper from bamboo. Emergy synthesis (with ‘m’) and global warming potential indicators are calculated and compared with the traditional eucalyptus paper-based production. Results highlights the importance in including the renewability fractions of each input resources into emergy calculations for production systems with high human-labor intensity such as the bamboo agricultural production. Office paper produced from bamboo has similar renewability (28%), moderate environmental load (3.23 vs. 2.49), and emergy unsustainability (0.34 vs. 0.60) compared to paper produced from eucalyptus, but bamboo showed lower performance for global efficiency (568 vs. 442 sej/tonpaper), emergy yield (1.09 vs. 1.49), and emergy investment (10.79 vs. 2.05). Focusing on global warming potential, office paper produced from bamboo releases 98 kgCO2 eq./tonpaper compared to 56–267 kgCO2 eq./tonpaper for eucalyptus. Notwithstanding, bamboo-based office paper demands four times more land area of agricultural production than eucalyptus, but it has a positive social aspect by requiring higher amount of direct human labor. This work shows the advantages of using eucalyptus rather than bamboo in producing office paper from an emergy and land demand perspectives, while global warming can still be considered inconclusive. Future efforts should consider a quantitative and qualitative analysis of human labor availability in both systems, as well an economic analysis to support discussions towards more sustainable office paper production from different raw materials.

Development of sustainable masonry solid blocks by the incorporation of industrial and agro waste.

<p>Bricks have been extensively adopted for centuries and continue to play a vital role in the construction industry. Nevertheless of its dependable workability and accessibility, fired clay brick production has been recognized for its comparatively high energy and resource requirements. Traditional clay bricks, widely used in construction for centuries, pose significant environmental challenges. The extraction of clay for brick production can result in habitat destruction and landscape alteration. The firing process in brick kilns consumes substantial amounts of energy, often derived from non-renewable sources, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The development of sustainable masonry solid blocks signifies a revolutionary change in the construction sector, providing a sustainable substitute for conventional building materials. These blocks, typically made from reused or locally obtained materials, demonstrate a dedication to environmental stewardship and the efficient use of resources. This innovative idea of utilizing some industrial waste such as fly ash, bagasse ash, marble dust and stone dust in solid block manufacture significantly reduces the environmental pollution problem, offers an alternative construction material source, and makes the solid blocks economical. Different types of trail mixes have been developed, and the produced masonry solid blocks underwent a series of experimental investigations. The solid bricks are being compared to conventional cement blocks. The developed sustainable solid block (MB6) exhibits a strength that is 43.78% greater than that of conventional cement solid blocks. The present study attempts to determine the optimal material proportion for innovative solid block production. Key words: Carbon footprint, Eco-friendly building blocks, Bagasse ash, Marble dust and Industrial waste</p>

Evaluating Properties of Green Concrete Produced Using Waste Marble Powder, Quarry Dust, and Paper Pulp

AbstractIndustrial waste locks are used as raw materials to reduce harmful effects on the environment and improve environmental performance. Marble clay powder can be used as a filling aid and can fill voids in concrete structures. This article will show you how to use a maximum natural sand alternative in concrete with marble powder and quarry dust. The challenge of the 21st century is to change to a new form that can support the natural system. This necessitates a radical rethinking of how to give the community infrastructure and housing. Making a concerted effort to develop novel, innovative, and alternative construction materials may be necessary. Jungles of concrete around cause's impact on the Environment and it would result in climate change. Mankind must avoid the use of things that are detrimental to the environment. So in this paper, it is decided to address the issue by adopting the use of the green concrete concept which is environmentally friendly. Green concrete is concrete made up using industrial wastes such as marble powder, quarry dust, wood ash, paper pulp, etc. Green concrete, which is capable of sustainable development, helps to reduce the consumption of natural resources, energy use, and environmental pollution. Green concrete is more cost‐effective than ordinary concrete and reduces the cost of resultant concrete by 14%–20%. It is also observed that the alkali‐aggregate reaction and sulfate attack resistance of concrete are both significantly improved. Green concrete is a useful tool for lowering environmental pollution and enhancing concrete's resistance to harsh conditions. All stages of infrastructure construction and rehabilitation will follow this trend of using new cement and techniques. Green concrete's adaptability and its performance derivatives will meet a variety of future needs.

Effects of Wastewater Sludge Addition on Fired Clay Bricks: Enhancing Performance and Sustainable Construction Practices

This study explores the impact of incorporating wastewater sludge into fired clay bricks to improve their performance and promote sustainable construction. Physical, mechanical, and environmental properties of the sludge-amended bricks are investigated to assess their suitability as an alternative construction material. Lab tests are conducted to characterize the sludge and clay, and brick samples with varying sludge content are produced. Physical properties such as water absorption, are analyzed to determine the influence of sludge addition on the bricks' structural characteristics. Mechanical tests, including compressive and flexural strength evaluations, assess the performance of the sludge-amended bricks compared to traditional clay bricks. Additionally, environmental aspects are considered to evaluate the sustainability of the sludge-amended bricks. Life cycle assessment and carbon footprint analysis quantify the environmental benefits and drawbacks associated with their production and use. The findings of this study contribute to the knowledge of sustainable construction materials by exploring the potential utilization of wastewater sludge in fired clay brick production.

IMPROVEMENT OF SAWDUST FIBER IN PROPERTIES OF POLYLACTIC ACID COMPOSITES: EFFECT OF FIBER SURFACE TREATMENTS

In this study, we investigated the impact of surface treatment on polylactic acid (PLA)/sawdust fiber (SF) composites. Utilizing a 20% weight-to-weight ratio of agricultural waste, three distinct chemical modification approaches were employed to treat the sawdust, with the aim of enhancing the compatibility between the PLA matrix and the wood fibers. The treatments included alkali-, benzoyl chloride-, and permanganate-treated SFs. The results demonstrated an increase in rigidity with alkali treatment, while composites treated with benzoyl chloride and permanganate exhibited improved ductility. However, the thermal stability of the treated fiber composites was reduced. Comparative analysis revealed that wood fibers treated with sodium hydroxide and permanganates exhibited superior dispersion in the PLA matrix compared to fibers treated with benzoyl chloride. Beyond these findings, this assessment carries significant implications for sustainable material development, since the utilization of agricultural waste provides an alternative composite material for construction or industrial applications. The study's outcomes contribute to the ongoing quest for eco-friendly solutions in material science and offer practical insights for selecting the most suitable composite material based on specific applications and industry needs.

Flexural behavior of composite section of multiple full-culm bamboo beams with mortar infill bolted joints

Full-culm bamboo has several characteristics that make it an excellent alternative construction material due to its rapid growth rate, high strength-to-weight ratio, and high carbon sequestration. Thus, it becomes crucial to study the mechanical and structural performance of bamboo within an engineering framework, such as flexural behavior of multi-culm elements, since it is a key issue of typical elements of building such beams, joists, and others. While there is a general understanding of the composite section behavior in materials such as timber, steel and concrete, there is a lack of experimental evidence concerning bamboo in this regard. Therefore, an experimental program was undertaken by the Center of Research in Materials and Civil Works (CIMOC) at the Universidad de Los Andes in Colombia. Two- and three-culm elements of Guadua angustifolia Kunth from a Colombian plantation using a Bolted-Mortar Infill connections were tested in a bending setup. The gamma method, extensively employed in timber standards, was used to find the percentage of composite section for different number of shear connectors. Montecarlo simulations were performed to deal with uncertainty of the modulus of elasticity and the slip modulus (stiffness) of the Bolted-Mortar Infill connection. Additionally, a design factor FI was proposed that allows to find the ratio of increment of the effective moment of inertia of partially composite section for different connection configuration. Equations were derived and proposed for C and FI through linear regression.

Drivers and barriers to the use of alternative construction materials in Africa

Drivers and barriers to the use of alternative construction materials in Africa

PRODUCTION PROCESS OF MORTAR DURABLE TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

Since global warming affects the world, using environmentally friendly products in every aspect of our lives is of great importance for both current and future generations. The firing stage in the cement production process corresponds to approximately 5% of the world's carbon emissions. The increasing cost of cement production and the high carbon emissions caused by production have encouraged people to seek alternative construction materials to cement. Addition of the pozzolan as construction materials to the mortar and concrete improves the various properties of these mixtures. The aim of this study is to investigate the mortar production process and compressive strength of mortars produced using different ratios of zeolite and fly ash, after the high temperatures effect. After being heated to the various temperature levels, changes in the compressive strength with the increase of temperature were examined.

Load bearing investigations on novel Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene‐carbon quantum dots 3D printed core/bamboo fiber polyester sandwich composite for structural applications

AbstractIn this research, a novel 3D printed core and natural fiber polyester composite skin based thick sandwich panel was developed as structural material for domestic and commercial infrastructure applications. The main objective of this research was to analyze how the carbon quantum dots (C‐dots) from agriculture waste strengthen the softer thermoplastic acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) core and overall sandwich panel's load bearing properties. The core of sandwich was prepared using additive manufacturing method whereas the skin was developed by hand layup method. According to the results the C‐dots of 20 phr into the ABS improved the compression properties of core in both flatwise and edgewise directions. A highest tensile and flexural strength of skin was observed to be 114 and 146 MPa respectively. The addition of C‐dots improved the load bearing effect and also restricts the deformation against load. This performance improved novel 3D printed core and bamboo fiber skin sandwich could be used as an alternative construction and building material where the commercial plywood and other forms of powder wood face damages via weather and termite issues.Highlights Higher filler volume of up to 20 phr of carbon quantum dots in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) were developed Novel 3D printed thin walled core of 1 mm diameter was developed using carbon quantum dots and ABS. Bamboo fiber‐polyester skin with highest tensile strength of 114 MPa was developed. Improved flatwise compression and tensile strength were achieved for ABS core with 20 phr of Carbon quantum dots Flexural strength and edgewise compression properties were improved with 20 phr of Carbon quantum dots in ABS

Применение оптимальных паро-теплоизоляционных материалов для повышения энергоэффективности зданий

Modern construction is not complete without complex, composite enclosing structures that consist of various elements and materials.
 The analysis of the energy efficiency of heat and vapor barrier materials in the USA and Kazakhstan is carried out, traditional materials such as mineral wool, expanded polystyrene, etc. are considered. The analysis of the possibility of using alternative materials to improve energy efficiency in Kazakhstan was also carried out. The properties and characteristics of steam-insulating materials are considered, the standards of the USA and Kazakhstan regulating the use of such materials in construction are presented.
 Considering several options of alternative steam-insulating materials for construction in Kazakhstan on the example of the city of Almaty, an analysis of its climate was carried out and based on the results obtained, the most suitable insulation materials for this region were determined.
 As the results, the advantages of using the selected materials were considered, and data on the characteristics of alternative steam-insulating materials were presented, where it can be noted that these materials can significantly increase the energy efficiency of buildings and reduce heating and cooling costs. Environmental aspects of the use of these materials were also considered.
 The use of alternative steam-insulating materials is an effective and more environmentally friendly option for improving the energy efficiency of buildings in Kazakhstan. These data may be of interest to specialists working in the field of energy efficiency of buildings and construction, as well as for manufacturing plants that are engaged in the production and sale of steam-insulating materials.
 Keywords: thermal insulation, standards, energy efficiency of thermal insulation materials.

Application of the use of local natural materials as cement treated base materials

The use of local natural materials as alternative materials in road construction could save construction costs, especially for Maluku Province. One of the local natural materials in Maluku Province is Limestone in Kelan Village and Kaliobar Village. Therefore, this study aims to see how far the use of limestone to be applied as a cement treated base material. Before being applied, the limestone is tested first in the laboratory. After the limestone was applied as a cement treated base (CTB) material, compaction and compressive strength tests were carried out. The number of CTB compressive strength test specimens was 26 samples from STA 4+100 to STA 8+900. The limestone on Larat Island is unique in that it contains the composition CaCO3 (Calcium Carbonate), which is the result of shallow sea sedimentation. The potential of limestone in the work location area has not been utilized optimally to improve the economic level of the community. The test results show that the compressive strength values obtained are still within the interval range, namely between 25 - 40 gr/cm2. Therefore, it can be concluded that the CTB mixture material at this location meets the requirements to be used as a foundation layer for road pavement using local natural materials.

The Physical and Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Fibres Filled with Calcium Carbonate Powder Reinforced Epoxy Composites in Coating Treatment Process for Roofing Application

Abstract: In Malaysia's construction industry, reinforced concrete utilisation is not a recent development. However, the problem of overuse of construction material including steel, bricks and cement are not environmentally friendly as it will lead to greenhouse effect. On the other hand, bamboo is a natural resource which have a big population and promising material to be used in construction due to the strength, durability, and ability to replace steel in concrete. To solve the issues, bamboo fibre will be utilised as reinforcement in concrete. The research objective of this study is to determine the value of maximum and minimum force of bamboo with different arrangement of layer orientation for usefulness in roofing construction and to determine the effect of water absorption in bamboo-composite reinforcement for long term effects in roofing structure. The effect of using flame retardant materials in mechanical properties for bamboo laminate composites also has been studied. The experimental work focuses on the fabrication method which is hand layup technique. Then, the physical and mechanical test to determine workability and strength between coated and uncoated bamboo laminate composite were compared. The chemical treatment may enhance surface interaction, and at coated bamboo fibre, it alters the fibres' capacity to compact, which improved stress distribution and resulted in minimal void formation. This study is also to encourage the usage of natural renewable material as an alternative construction material.

Study And Analysis of Green Concrete by Using Industrial Waste Materials as Sustainable Construction

Presently, the problem is to transition to a new form that can sustain the natural system. This demand a new ideas of the community's methods for providing construction and infrastructure. Perhaps there is a need for a concerted effort to develop innovative and alternative novel construction materials. Industrial waste such as marble powder, quarry dust, and fly ash, among others, are used to reduce consumption of natural resources and energy as well as environmental pollution. By reusing industrial waste, we are able to reduce environmental impact and industrial waste disposal issues.in this analysis 7-day, 14-day, and 28-day compressive and split tensile tests were performed on the concrete mixtures that were then compared. In M25 concrete mix, 50% of the cement was substituted with fly ash, and the sand was completely replaced with 50% quarry dust and 50% marble powder. Cement is reduced by 15% to 25% when such waste is utilized. Green concrete is an efficient method for reducing environmental contamination and enhancing the extreme durability of concrete. This trend will remain during all stages of the construct-ability and rehabilitation of infrastructure. The versatility of green concrete and its performance derivatives will satisfy many future requirements.

Utilizing Industrial By-Products for Sustainable Three-Dimensional-Printed Infrastructure Applications: A Comprehensive Review

Industrial secondary products (e.g., fly ash, blast furnace slag, and silica fume) have found extensive application as alternative construction materials in conventional manufacturing methods to reduce carbon emissions due to cement usage and solve the waste management problem. To date, additive manufacturing or 3D printing has been massively developed for every material, including cement-based materials. Some possibilities have arisen to incorporate industrial wastes in cement mixtures in 3D printing applications. However, a comprehensive study about fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), and silica fume (SF) usage in 3D-printed materials needs to be conducted. This paper shows that some aspects of 3D printing, such as printability, buildability, and rheological properties, need to be considered, and waste materials affect these fresh mixture properties. Applying waste materials as supplementary cementitious materials also gives different mechanical properties and durability performances. Furthermore, the environmental and economic benefits of 3D-printed and conventional materials are compared. The results show that 3D printing methods can enhance the environmental and economic benefits while maintaining the performance of materials created using traditional methods. Studying industrial waste application in 3D printing has become a promising way to develop sustainable materials in this digitalization era.

Evaluation of properties of elastomeric head straps of filtering facepiece respirators

Frequent donning and doffing of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) can reduce their effectiveness due to the residual deformation of their elastic head straps. This study investigates the loss of elasticity of head straps during repeated use. Five elastomeric tapes were tested as FFR head straps, and their tensile strength was measured using a DU-100 dynamometer after repeated donning and doffing cycles. After eight consecutive uses, the protection factor drops significantly, requiring strap length adjustments to guarantee the specified level of user protection. The maximum tensile force of the elastomeric head straps causes residual elongation, which remains consistent after eight cycles. The study also establishes how strap elongation depends on the force and number of donning and doffing cycles. This knowledge is vital for designing better FFRs. Additionally, the research explores alternative materials for FFR construction to address strap elongation and its effects on performance and comfort.

Utilization of nanoparticles and waste materials in cement mortars

Abstract Cement has shaped the modern built environment, but its production generates substantial carbon dioxide emissions. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify alternative cementitious building materials for sustainable construction. In this study, cement mortars (CMs) were produced by partially replacing cement with nanoclay (NC) and granite dust (GD). The replacement proportions (% by weight of cement) of these materials were 1.5, 3, and 4.5% for NC and 10, 20, and 30% for GD. For mortars containing NC but not GD, the strength was maximized when the NC replacement proportion was 3%. To evaluate the combined effect of partially replacing cement with both NC and GD on the fresh and hardening properties of cement-blended mortars, ternary binder mixtures containing 3% NC together with 10, 20, or 30% GD were prepared, and their workability, bulk density, compressive strength (at 7, 28, and 90 days), and flexural strength were measured. Increasing the content of NC and/or GD reduced the flowability of these mortars relative to that of the reference mortar mix because it increased the content of fine materials. CM containing 3% NC and 10% GD had the highest compressive strength at 7, 28, and 90 days while also having the greatest flexural strength when compared to the control mix. This is most likely due to the high silica and alumina content of NC and GD, as well as their high specific surface area, which would improve the maturity and density of the matrix when compared to cement alone.

Evaluation of mechanical, physical and chemical properties of ecological modular soil-alkali activated bricks without Portland cement

With the growth of civil construction materials to mitigate environmental impacts and meet technical demands, modular soil-cement bricks have emerged as an alternative construction material in Brazil due to economic, social, and environmental reasons. However, the composition of Portland cement still generates environmental impacts due to CO2 emissions. Thus, this study aimed to produce modular bricks through alkali activation in real scale using a mixture of clay soil and sand, metakaolin (M) or blast furnace slag (BFS) as precursors, NaOH solution as a simple activator, or compound with hydrated lime. Thermal curing effects were analyzed. Water absorption, compressive strength, XRF, XRD, SEM and EDS analysis were performed, as well as Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). All bricks presented suitable water absorption values according to Brazilian standards. Groups with metakaolin and simple activator presented the lowest compressive strength since an incomplete geopolymerization was verified; however, when a compound activator was used, the compressive strength was highly increased. The BFS group presented the best overall performance under water absorption and compressive strength with mean values of 3.6 MPa and 13.4%, respectively. Microstructural analyses confirmed the development of microstructures such as Zeolite, Calcite and Hydrated Calcium Silicate from the alkali activation reactions. Alkali activated bricks presented at least 35% less CO2 emissions compared to ceramic bricks in LCA. Modular bricks made with MK or BFS and compound activator met all the requirements for their use, showing that these mixtures can be an alternative for sustainable brick production, with the reuse of industrial waste instead of Portland cement incorporation.

Examining Carbon Emissions in Building Materials: A Case Study of Government Buildings in Pokhara Metropolitan City

Numerous studies placed particular emphasis on reducing carbon emissions from operations, often ignoring the importance of embodied carbon emissions. To evaluate the embodied carbon emissions associated with government buildings in Pokhara Metropolitan City, a systematic process-based approach was used to estimate the total embodied carbon over the lifetime of these structures. The research findings reveal that the cumulative embodied carbon emissions stemming from these buildings contributed a total of1281.56 metric tons (Mt) and 12504540.5 MJ of embodied energy. Furthermore, the study explored the potential for reducing these emissions by adopting alternative construction materials. In particular, the inclusion of AAC (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) blocks, hollow cement concrete blocks, and stabilized soil blocks (8% cement)in the same building demonstrated reductions in total emissions by 5.56%, 4.38%, and 5.16%, respectively. It is crucial to acknowledge that this study primarily focuses on the construction stage of the building and exclusively considers civil construction materials. It did not encompass elements such as sanitary and electrical fixtures or other stages in the building's lifecycle, including operation and maintenance and eventual demolition. Consequently, it is recommended that future research endeavors undertake a more comprehensive analysis, encompassing electrical and sanitary fixtures, as well as all phases of a building's lifecycle, to gain a more holistic understanding of embodied carbon emissions in government buildings