Demand For Construction Materials Research Articles

The Potential of Tea Waste and Silica Fume as Partial Replacements for Cement in Bricks

Bricks are widely used building materials made from sand, cement, and water in standard proportions. However, the increasing demand for construction materials that use sand and ordinary Portland cement is leading to the depletion of natural resources. To address this issue, researchers are exploring alternative materials, such as Tea Waste (TW) and Silica Fume (SF), as partial replacements for cement bricks. This study used a mix proportion of 1:2.5 with a certain percentage of replacement materials and 0.5 of a water/cement ratio. The experimental results indicated that when TW and SF were substituted at 5% and 10%, respectively, the compressive strength of the cement bricks was adequate and met the minimum masonry unit requirements of the British Standard. Additionally, the density of the cement bricks (with TW and SF) was lower than that of solid bricks, and the water absorption met the requirements of the British Standard. However, the cement bricks' effective strength-to-weight ratio (s-w ratio) was lower than 1.0, except for the specimens with 5% TW and 10% SF. The optimum mix proportion was the cement brick with 5% TW and 10% SF as it achieved all the industry requirements.

Assessing the Impact of Fly Ash and Recycled Concrete Aggregates on Fibre-Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete Strength and Durability

Driven by the insatiable demand for construction materials, excessive quarrying for natural aggregates and the demand for raw materials for cement production pose significant environmental challenges, including habitat loss and resource depletion. To address these concerns, this study investigates the use of fibre-reinforced self-compacting concrete (FR-SCC) with high-volume fly ash (HVFA) and varying levels of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) as substitutes for fine and coarse aggregates. This approach aims to simultaneously address environmental concerns by reducing reliance on virgin resources by utilizing the recycled aggregates and enhancing the performance of concrete through the combined benefits of fly ash and fibre reinforcement. In this study, Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) mixes were created with 50% of fly ash replaced with conventional cement content, which was taken from the previous literature. Fine and coarse aggregate utilized in this investigation were replaced with processed recycled aggregates at varying levels from 0% to 100% at an interval of 25%, offering a promising solution to alleviate the environmental burden associated with excessive quarrying while contributing to sustainable construction practices. Additionally, replacement levels of aggregate synthetic polypropylene fibres (PF) were added into the concrete matrix up to 1% at an interval of 0.25%. This research contributes to the development of sustainable construction practices by promoting resource efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. The study found that SCC mixes with fibres and recycled aggregates maintained self-compactability, with polypropylene fibres and fly ash improving workability and cohesion. With this combination of materials, the highest strength value of 55.31 MPa was observed and the study promotes sustainable construction by reducing reliance on virgin resources and minimizing environmental impact.

Fatigue analysis of ambient-cured geopolymer concrete for high-traffic pavements.

The building sector is growing at a rapid rate, leading to an increased demand for construction materials. Concrete made with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) has long been the preferred choice due to its excellent bonding properties and versatility as demanded by construction process. However, the manufacturing of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) leads to negative impacts on the environment, with the cement sector responsible for around 5-8% of global CO2 emissions. In addition, the manufacture of OPC necessitates significant amounts of natural raw materials and energy. Contrastingly, using geopolymers promises to save substantial amounts of energy and reduce CO2 emissions. This potential has sparked growing interest in the application of geopolymers within transportation infrastructure. For pavements, the workability requirement is less, and hence, geopolymer concrete (GPC) is a viable option, but fatigue-resistance of GPC is not seen reported in literatures. This article evaluates the properties of geopolymer concrete with low-calcium fly ash partially replaced with ground granular blast furnace slag (GGBS) with 8M NaOH alkaline solution and cured under ambient atmospheric conditions to evaluate its usage in pavements and develop an environmentally sustainable and durable GPC capable of withstanding heavy traffic. The study involves adjusting the pavement quality concrete (PQC) mix design; evaluating the mechanical characteristics, abrasion resistance, and shrinkage strain of the GPC; and analyzing its microstructure. Additionally, the study compares the fatigue life of GPC to that of PQC using various Weibull distribution approaches. The results showed that GPC4 (70% Fly ash and 30% GGBS) mix achieved best results at 28days, with a compressive strength of 45.68MPa, split tensile strength of 3.76MPa, and flexural strength of 4.62MPa. Also, shrinkage strains were nearly 31% lesser than PQC at 90days. In addition, developing GPC needs 27% lesser embodied energy than PQC. Fatigue analysis prove that ambient cured fly ash-GGBS based geopolymer concrete with 8M NaOH exhibits less stress development than PQC at medium loads, even though it is brittle. Thus, the study proves that it is suitable as a material for pavements to resist medium-loaded traffic-resisting pavements.

“EZZLEBLOCK”: Eco Puzzle Brick Kedap Air Sistem Interlock dengan Substitusi Limbah Plastik

In Indonesia, the accumulation of plastic waste must be addressed immediately because the amount will increase over time. In 2022, the total amount of plastic waste produced in Indonesia will reach 9.13 million tons, making Indonesia the country with the 5th most significant amount worldwide. The large amount of plastic waste produced must be dried through proper processing. Because if not, plastic waste will continue to pile up and cause various problems. Meanwhile, the high growth of infrastructure in Indonesia has caused an increase in demand for construction materials, one of which is cement. To meet this demand, the cement manufacturing industry exploits natural resources on a large scale, which will hurt nature. Apart from that, the cement fabrication process also causes problems in the form of waste and produces carbon dioxide gas, which pollutes the air. This research was carried out to make bricks made from plastic and sand with an interlock system to reduce environmental negative impacts. And to find out the effect of ezzleblock composition on brick quality. This research planned to use experimental methods by collecting essential materials car, trying out the production process, and testing them in the laboratory to obtain data. Using plastic waste and sand as materials for making ezzleblocks, it is planned to create a high-quality interlock brick with dimensions of (300x120x150) mm. Its high compressive strength, low air absorption capacity, and sturdy construction demonstrate this.

Advancing energy solutions: Carbon-based cementitious composites in energy storage and harvesting

The rapid progress of smart and sustainable cities has led to an increased demand for construction materials that possess functional capabilities in energy storage and harvesting. In light of this, a comprehensive literature review is conducted in this study to investigate the multifunctional properties exhibited by carbon-based cementitious materials. Specifically, the piezoelectric, thermoelectric, tensile, compressive, and flexural behaviors of carbon fiber (CF), graphene, graphite powder (GP), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are thoroughly examined through multi-scale research approaches. The electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of these carbon-based additives are analyzed in relation to their molecular structures. Evaluation results reveal that CNTs-based cementitious composites demonstrate 160 %–269 % superior multifunctional performance compared to their CF-based counterparts. Furthermore, the feasibility of potential applications of carbon-based cementitious composites in concrete construction is extensively discussed, encompassing diverse areas such as thermoelectric energy harvesting, intelligent structural adjustment, cathodic protection systems, snow and ice melting, electromagnetic shielding, and structural health monitoring. The research outcomes presented in this study offer a systematic evaluation of a wide range of carbon-based cementitious materials, providing valuable guidelines and recommendations for engineers.

AGGREGATE POTENTIAL OF KHAIRABAD LIMESTONE, KALABAGH-MIANWALI, PAKISTAN

Quality of aggregate material reflects the physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of source rock. Limestone is main source of crushed rock aggregate, which is largely used by construction industry. There are few geological formations in Kohat-Potwar province which qualify the specific criteria for utilization as aggregate in building material. Khairabad Limestone exposed in Kalabagh area in Western Salt Range contains colossal quantity of minable aggregates. That’s why, we quantitatively examined this limestone of Paleocene age through several physical, chemical, mineralogical, engineering and mechanical tests to evaluate its aptness as aggregate material. AASHTO, ASTM, BS and NHA designated engineering tests including Los Angles Value (26.59%), Aggregate Impact Value (13.91%), Aggregate Crushing Value (12.84), soundness value (1.84%), coating and stripping of bitumen (96.4%), specific gravity (2.7), water absorption (0.83%), unit weight (1.65 g/cm3), total (elongation + flakiness) index (22.78%), and petrographic analysis (ASR & ACR) revealed that it is highly feasible aggregate resource with suitable properties. Investigated reserve is vast and thick enough to provide aggregate material to nearby local construction as well as national megaprojects. It would be a good contribution to the rising demand of construction materials in the country.

Research on complex network modeling of building materials supply and demand and characteristics of communities

Currently, China's building materials market is large and the supply and demand transactions are very frequent, which requires us to have a comprehensive understanding of the supply and demand transactions of building materials. Based on complex network theory, this paper constructs a complex network model of supply and demand of building materials. And the Louvain algorithm is also improved to identify and characterize the network community relations based on the characteristics of this network. This paper also applies prefabricated components as an example for empirical research and obtains the following findings: (1) From 2017 to 2022, large- and medium-sized communities in the network gradually increase while small communities gradually decrease; the internal connectivity of large communities is higher than that of small communities; and the regional network also has the structural characteristics of the network. (2) The characteristics of geographic agglomeration gradually emerge in the individual communities in the supply–demand network of prefabricated components with the passage of time. Most of these communities are bounded by provinces, and large-scale communities are distributed in the eastern and southern coastal areas. Thus, this paper visualizes the supply and demand of construction materials to provide a theoretical basis and methodological support for the supply and demand of construction materials and the development of the construction industry.

Effect of Different Ceramic Waste Powder on Characteristics of Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer

The escalating demand for construction materials driven by rapid population growth has heightened the reliance on cement binders, resulting in increased CO2 emissions from the cement industry. Geopolymers, considered environmentally friendly alternatives, have been explored in various studies to address this challenge. This research specifically investigates the impact of different types of ceramic waste bricks (BT), floor tiles (FT), roof tiles (RT), and sanitary ceramics (ST) on the physical and mechanical properties of fly ash-based geopolymer mortar. To provide a comprehensive understanding, this research examines the compressive strength, mineral phase, chemical bonds, and microscopic evolution of fly ash geopolymer mortar incorporating varying proportions of each ceramic waste type (25% and 50% fly ash replacement). A consistent mixture of Na2SiO3and NaOH was used for the alkaline solution in all formulations. The curing process was carried out at room temperature for 7, 14, and 28 days prior to the compressive strength test. The result revealed that the inclusion of 25% BT experienced higher strength compared to the control sample after 14 days, but the strength became comparable after 28 days at 40.24 MPa. A reduction in strength was evident with the addition of other ceramic components. Moreover, higher incorporation of CWP correlated with a faster setting time for fresh geopolymers. This was also linked to the degree of gel formation, as indicated in the microstructure images. The emergence of plagioclase minerals was evident in all formulations of the geopolymer products under XRD analysis, while the bond of the geopolymer signature, Si-O-T (T = Si or Al), was identified from the infrared spectra. The microstructure of the binder showed a geopolymer matrix alongside unreacted fly ash particles. Overall, CWP replacement up to 25% can be potential in fly ash geopolymer without sacrificing significant strength loss and remaining in the range of normal strength mortar. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-02-06 Full Text: PDF

ПРОМИСЛОВІСТЬ БУДІВЕЛЬНИХ МАТЕРІАЛІВ: ПРОБЛЕМИ ТА ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ РОЗВИТКУ

The article summarises the main challenges faced by the construction materials industry during the COVID-19 pandemic and the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion against Ukraine. The paper outlines the main trends in the development of the construction materials industry in the global and national contexts. In particular, the global trends in the production of construction materials are as follows: growing demand for construction materials for residential construction due to the intensification of the urbanisation process; use of AI and IoT technologies; production of environmentally friendly and energy efficient materials; sale of construction materials on online markets, etc. The main trends in the development of the domestic building materials industry are the following: focusing of building materials producers on the domestic market; stimulation of demand by the State, expansion of State programmes; production of reliable building structures; production of energy-efficient building materials; use of alternative energy sources. It is concluded that in order to solve the problems, it is necessary to provide systematic support to the construction materials industry from the State to stimulate demand, and to increase production capacity by enterprises in view of the needs of reconstruction and restoration and taking into account existing trends. The construction materials industry systematically develops new and improves existing building materials and applies the latest production technologies. The main trends in the production of construction materials relate to the use of environmentally friendly materials, which has a number of advantages: the use of environmentally friendly materials has a positive impact on both the environment and human health; the use of local raw materials in the production of construction materials helps to reduce operating costs and, consequently, the cost of a construction project; the use of local raw materials in the production of construction materials creates additional workplaces in related areas. Given the new macroeconomic trends in the construction sector, the opportunity for further transformation of the construction materials industry is high.

3D printed concrete using Portland pozzolana cement - fly ash based

This project investigates the feasibility and properties of 3D printed concrete using Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC). The increasing demand for construction materials, particularly ordinary Portland cement (OPC), has led to a surge in its usage. Consequently, Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) has gained popularity as an alternative due to its advantageous properties. PPC, characterized by its enhanced durability and sustainability, has become a preferred choice in the construction industry, offering versatility and reliability in various construction applications. The main focus of the project is economical printing of concrete structures through 3D printing technology. With sustainability and cost-effectiveness as paramount considerations, the study delves into refining the mix proportions ideal for 3D printing applications. By harnessing the potential of Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) with a 35% fly ash content, the aim is to strike a balance between structural integrity, workability, and affordability. It examines various key properties essential for successful 3D printing, such as extrudability, printability, flowability, buildability, setting time and thixotropic open time. Furthermore, the project examines the strength of 3D printed concrete mixes. Through testing and studying these properties, the research aims to contribute to the advancement of eco-friendly and efficient construction practices by using 3D printing and innovative cementitious materials. The findings from this study provide valuable insights to enhance the efficiency of 3D printing and the strength of printed concrete structures, including beams, walls, and other structural elements. By implementing these ideas, potential advancements in construction methodologies could be realized, facilitating more robust and cost-effective building practices. This research aims to contribute to the ongoing evolution of 3D printing technology in construction, ultimately fostering innovation and sustainability in the built environment.

Performance Evaluation of Bottom Ash as Aggregate Replacement in Conventional Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC): An Experimental Study

The escalating demand for construction materials, coupled with the depletion of natural resources such as sand, necessitates environmentally conscious alternatives in concrete production. This study investigates the viability of utilizing bottom ash as an eco-friendly substitute for natural sand in roller compacted concrete (RCC). The focus is on evaluating workability and mechanical properties, examining bottom ash replacements at 0%, 20%, 25%, and 30% for fine aggregate. The research employs a comprehensive methodology, assessing workability and mechanical strength, encompassing compressive, split tensile, and flexural strengths across various concrete formulations. Comparative analyses with conventional concrete provide conclusive insights. Significantly, the study consistently highlights the superiority of RCC specimens featuring a 25% bottom ash replacement, exhibiting the highest strength values. This establishes the 25% replacement ratio as optimal for achieving robust roller-compacted concrete. Despite a slight reduction in workability with increasing bottom ash replacement, it remains within acceptable limits for practical applications. Comparative analyses between bottom ash RCC and conventional RCC underscore the superior mechanical attributes of the former, suggesting its potential as a sustainable alternative in concrete construction. By substituting natural sand with bottom ash, this research addresses environmental concerns related to the depletion of sand reserves. It actively contributes to sustainable practices within the concrete industry, demonstrating the viability of bottom ash as a substitute for natural sand in roller compacted concrete production. In conclusion, the study advocates for environmentally friendly practices and offers a practical solution to mitigate the ecological impact of sand resource depletion in the realm of concrete construction. The findings emphasize that the optimum percentage of bottom ash for compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength tests is within the range of 0% to 12%.

Review of Recent Developments Regarding the Durability Performance of Eco-Friendly Geopolymer Concrete

The 21st century has witnessed a substantial increase in the demand for construction materials, mainly influenced by the growing population. This increase in demand has resulted in higher prices for these materials and has also placed considerable burdens on environmental resources, prompting the search for eco-friendly and economically viable alternatives such as geopolymer materials to replace traditional materials like cement. The benefits of geopolymer materials as substitutes for cement in concrete extend beyond their exceptional durability. Initially, geopolymer was introduced to address the environmental impact arising from carbon dioxide emissions and the substantial consumption of fossil fuels through the production of cement. The current review investigates recent advances regarding the durability characteristics of geopolymer materials. This includes aspects such as water absorption, temperature resistance, sulfuric acid resistance, sulfate resistance, chloride ion penetration, and freeze–thaw resistance, among others. The results of this review highlight geopolymer concrete’s enhanced durability over traditional cement-based concrete. Furthermore, this review offers recommendations and outlines potential research avenues for further exploration of geopolymer concrete.

The potential of carbon storage in bio-based solutions to mitigate the climate impact of social housing development in Brazil

The increasing demand of housing in the Global South requires effective solutions to cover the corresponding deficit in the next decades. In Latin America, Brazil is the most populated Nation, which accounts for one-third of the total population and is the main contributor to carbon emissions. This study estimates how bio-based construction solutions, implemented in the Brazilian housing stock as alternative to conventional systems, can contribute to limiting the carbon emissions. Five different construction archetypes were considered, and a Material Flow Analysis model developed to estimate the demand of construction materials by 2050 under multiple scenarios. A carbon footprint assessment, which considers the dynamic effect of biogenic carbon sequestration and uptake, was finally performed to estimate the net Global Warming Potential. The results indicate that, if fast implemented, bio-concrete solutions with short-rotation vegetal species as bamboo, coupled with the lowest material intensity scenario, can reduce the cumulative carbon emissions by 65%, equal to 118 Mt of cumulative CO2-eq savings. Considering bamboo's widespread availability in Brazil's different climate zones, and in the Global South in general, such material presents a significant impact to mitigate the climate impact of social housing. However, the carbon saving intensity is largely affected by uncertainties on population growth and the type of biomass used in the concrete mixture. Therefore, further development of standards for the safe use of bio-concrete in construction is urgently needed, as well as the implementation of environmental policies to facilitate the market penetration of bio-based solutions in emerging economies.

Modeling and Optimizing Wastewater Stabilization Ponds for Domestic Wastewater Treatment

In Wastewater Stabilization Ponds (WSPs), baffle walls (BWs) have the dual benefit of reducing area requirements and increasing contaminant removal efficiency up to a certain threshold. However, this advantage is mitigated by the increased demand for construction materials, highlighting the need for optimization. Effectively optimizing WSPs to suit diverse climatic regions can substantially alleviate nationwide wastewater treatment challenges. This study focuses on optimizing WSPs across seven distinct climatic regions in Turkey. In the initial phase, a comprehensive analysis was conducted using design spreadsheets for the WSPs to determine the best configuration based on traditional methodology (TM). The results demonstrated a significant decrease in WSPs area and hydraulic retention time (RT), validating the effectiveness of BWs provision. However, this approach requires additional time and effort. Subsequently, mathematical modeling (MM) was used to further reduce the time required for the optimization process. Using the interior-point algorithm in MATLAB and the generalized reduced gradient (GRG) algorithm in MS Excel Solver, both algorithms within MM effectively decreased the WSPs area and RTby approximately 10%, while decreasing the required concrete volume by approximately 5% compared with TM. As other algorithms may yield better optimization, they can be investigated by developing specialized software for WSPs. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-11-014 Full Text: PDF

Pengaruh Penambahan Bottom Ash Dan Fly Ash Sebagai Bahan Subtitusi Campuran Beton

The development of construction development is currently experiencing rapid progress, which has led to an increase in demand for construction materials. Therefore, other materials are needed as or at least materials capable of reducing the use of aggregate for use in making concrete. This effort is an alternative to utilizing waste from the agricultural plantation industry or factory waste that is left alone. The aim of this research is to analyze the characteristics and compressive strength of concrete with bottom ash as a fine aggregate additive and fly ash as an additive to cement. The location for the concrete making research was carried out at the UPTD Construction Laboratory of the water resources and community development service of the Southeast Sulawesi provincial government. With a total of 16 test objects, they were printed in a cylindrical shape with dimensions of 30 x 15 cm. Based on compressive strength testing with an f'c quality plan of 20 MPa, with 10% substitution of fly ash as cement and bottom ash as fine aggregate with variations of 10%, 15%, 20%, the compressive strength decreased. for 7 days of age respectively, it is 12.31 MPa, 11.89 MPa, and 11.46 MPa. Meanwhile, at the age of 28 days, respectively, it was 19.11 MPa, 16.99 MPa and 15.29 Mpa

Building a Sustainable Future: How Eco-Friendly Homes Are Driving Local Economic Development in Lisbon Metropolitan Area

This article explored the impact of eco-friendly houses on economic development in the Lisbon metropolitan area. The study analyzed data from 18 municipalities between 2014 and 2020 using regression analysis with ordinary least squares (OLS) and fixed effects. The results indicate that national policies promoting residential energy efficiency positively impact economic development. Policies like subsidies, loans, and tax relief encourage homeowners to invest in energy-efficient technologies, boosting household disposable income and contributing to economic growth. The study found that an increase in the number of new constructions positively impacts economic development, leading to job creation and increased demand for construction materials and services. Additionally, growing eco-friendly houses can reduce energy consumption, lowering energy costs for homeowners and businesses and ultimately stimulating economic growth. In contrast, increasing the number of non-eco-friendly houses can have negative economic impacts. A robustness check using the method of moments quantile regression (MM-QR) confirmed the results from OLS with fixed effects, providing additional evidence supporting the robustness of the results.

Experimental investigation on lightweight concrete by adding polystyrene beads

By completely replacing the coarse aggregate in concrete with polystyrene beads, we were able to create a lightweight concrete that was both structurally sound and easy to work with. This enabled us to fulfil the project's specifications. It is a lightweight substance used in a variety of technological applications to produce non-structural concrete with unit weights ranging from 950 to 1,850 kg/m. In addition, it has been employed in the manufacturing of a substance that has been utilised in a range of technical applications. The outcomes of an experimental investigation into the engineering properties are presented in this paper. This investigation included preliminary tests of the used materials and tests to determine the compressive strength of polystyrene aggregate concrete of varying densities. The purpose of this investigation was to get a clearer understanding of the relationships between these characteristics and engineering. An investigation was conducted as a component of an analysis of the being examined engineering properties. As a direct result of the increase in demand for construction materials, A.M.N. has made substantial breakthroughs in the building techniques used for the erection of structures, which has led directly to these advancements. In addition, in order to lessen the amount of weight that must be supported by dead weight in taller structures, we have determined that polystyrene beads should be substituted for coarse particles in the concrete used to form the foundations of these buildings. The major purpose of this research is to identify a proportion of concrete mix that, in the absence of polystyrene beads, produces outcomes equivalent to those of foam concrete. By comparing the performance of the two types of concrete, this objective will be achieved.

Coconut Shell Ash as Partial Substitute to Cement in Concrete Hollow Blocks

Due to heightened demand for construction materials and environmental crisis, this study presents an alternative to cement using upcycled agricultural waste to help the construction industry and address environmental issues. The study focuses on substituting cement in concrete hollow blocks with coconut shell ash at 0, 10, 20, and 30 percent replacement. Four-inch width specimens are fabricated after slump test and underwent compressive strength and water absorption tests at 7, 14, and 28 curing periods. These are some of the insights of the study: (a) slump height of CHB with 30% substitution is the lowest at 4 mm, (b) the 10% CSA performed well among CHB with CSA gaining 3.7454 MPa, and (c) CSA decreased the water absorption to up to 4.6% at 20% replacement and moisture content to a value of 18.22% at 30% substitution after 28 days curing.

Characterization and development of alccofine based sustainable concrete – A review

The accelerated rate of industrialization and urbanization in recent decades is producing enormous quantities of waste globally. The per day per capita solid waste of 0.79 kg totalling 2.24 billion tons all over the world in 2020, is estimated to augment by 73% to 3.88 billion tons per annum by 2050. Presently in India, approximately 1 billion ton of solid waste per annum is generated during various processes. On the other hand, high global demand for construction materials (approx. 10 billion tons per annum) is depleting natural resources and disturbing the eco-system. As a result, researchers are switching over from traditional materials to alternative innovative materials by reprocessing diverse wastes and byproducts protecting the environment. Due to this, it has gained popularity and momentum in the production of sustainable concrete by partially replacing or adding Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) to the conventional binder. The purpose of this work is to review and discuss the mechanical and durability characteristics of alccofine based concrete significantly. Additionally, it aims to provide a better understanding about the mechanism of alccofine-1203 as an SCM in concrete. Due to distinctive chemical composition and ultrafine particles, alccofine-1203 improved pozzolanic reaction, increased pace of hydration process, reduced heat of hydration, reduced permeability to concrete, and reduced segregation and bleeding to produce high strength to concrete at the early curing stages. Considering this, alccofine can be utilized as an SCM due to its ultrafine nature and high concentrations of calcium oxide (CaO) and silica (SiO2), which are advantageous in improving the mechanical and durability qualities of concrete in comparison to other SCMs. A process to use alccofine as a replacement must be developed to produce sustainable concrete. Literature analysis suggests the ideal dosage of alccofine-1203 between 8 and 12% which significantly improved the mechanical and durability qualities of concrete.

The Encroachment of The Owners of Gravel and Sand Factories on The Lands and Its Effects

After the fall of the former regime in Iraq, the phenomenon of encroachment on the State’s land became prevalent, and there is no doubt that this phenomenon is considered as one of the most dangerous problems facing the Iraq at the present time. Since the population increase in one hand, and the destruction that Iraq faced after 2003 in the other hand, subsequently led to an increase in the demand for buildings, housing and public facilities. Hence, the increase in demand for construction materials in general, including gravel and sand became inevitable factor, which prompted factory owners to take various methods to provide as much proportion of gravel and sand as possible. Additionally, to reap the largest profit for themselves, without predicting future dangerous risks brought to these lands, particularly agricultural lands and agricultural production in the state. The seriousness of this encroachment on the land including the erosion, drift and usurpation of quarry lands, is the justification to write our research focusing on this subject as an attempt to contribute in presenting the issues related to encroachment on state’s land by factories’ owners. We have studied the problem in the manner of an analytical study, by analyzing the legislative texts related to the subject of the study. The study was divided into three sections. In the first section (as an introductory section), we discussed the definition of gravel and sand factories and the procedures necessary to obtain a work permit. In the second section, we presented pictures of land encroachment by the owners of gravel and sand factories. In the third section, we dealt with the effects of the trespassing issued by the owners of gravel and sand factories on the lands. We also conclude the study by mentioning the most important conclusions and suggestions.