Replacement Percentage Research Articles

Constitutive modelling to predict behaviour of PCC mixes with tire derived aggregates

Due to the worldwide depletion of raw materials required for construction projects, it is becoming clear that alternative and renewable construction materials are needed to reduce the demand for raw materials. Sound concerns arise from the side effects of replacing normal aggregate with tire rubber waste, which is expected to affect mechanical properties of the Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) mixes. To be able to decide on suitable Tire Derived Aggregates (TDA) replacement percentages, a simplified model is proposed to predict the PCC mixes stress-strain diagram with different TDA percentages. 0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% TDA were investigated. Using homogenization and lab test results for PCC mixes, 0% and 100% TDA were used as upper and lower bounds, and a model was developed to predict Young’s moduli and stress-strain curves for evaluated PCC mixes. Then the model results were verified using other test results. It was found that the proposed model seems to capture the behaviour of PCC mixes with TDA fairly well. However, peak stress for PCC mixes with 40% TDA results were slightly underestimated, but with reasonable accuracy. Furthermore, the proposed model well predicted the ultimate stresses, ultimate strains, and the elastic modulus.

Analyzing the Mechanical, Durability, and Microstructural Impact of Partial Cement Replacement with Pumice Powder and Bamboo Leaf Ash in Concrete

This study explores the physiomechanical and durability properties of C-25 concrete by partially replacing cement with blends of pumice powder (PP) and bamboo leaf ash (BLA). The combined amount of major oxides SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3 in PP is 84.59%, while in BLA, it is 74.4%, classifying PP and BLA as class N and F pozzolans. Subsequently, the study examines the impact of different cement replacement percentages, emphasizing 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% on C-25 with varying mixes of concrete: Mix-1 (100, 0, and 0), Mix-2 (90, 5, and 5), Mix-3 (85, 10, and 5), Mix-4 (85, 5, and 10), and Mix-5 (80, 10, and 10) which correspond to the proportions of OPC, VPP, and BLA used in each mix respectively and by using 1 : 2.34 : 2.68 (cement : sand : aggregate) with the water/cement ratio (w/c) of 0.491. The study’s findings indicate that as the proportion of PP and BLA increases in concrete, the workability of the mixture decreases. Moreover, on the 28th day, Mix-2 with (35.84 MPa) and Mix-3 with (33.55 MPa) met the desired mean compressive strength (33.5 MPa) required for C-25 concrete per the ACI standards. Additionally, the flexural strength of concrete produced with partial replacement of Mix-2 with a flexural strength of 3.86 MPa fulfills the minimum strength requirement of 3.5 MPa specified by the C-25 ACI standards. The PP and BLA blended concrete had lower water absorption than the control mix in Mix-2. It also improved resistance to sulfuric acid attack, and Mix-3 had the least strength reduction of 9.59%. In contrast, the control mix has a 33.34% strength reduction.

Reusing Egyptian in-situ construction &demolition waste(CDW)to produce sustainable concrete.Investigation of compressive &bond strengths using steel & glass fiber reinforced polymer(GFRP)rebars

ABSTRACT This research paper presents the effect of using recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), from the Egyptian construction waste, in different proportions on the bond performance between concrete and its internal reinforcement, where two types of reinforcement were used: a- steel reinforcing bars, and b- glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars. 72 samples of concrete were prepared and tested with replacement ratios for natural aggregate (NA) with RCA: 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 %. The samples were divided into 150 mm cubes to conduct axial compression tests, and pull-out samples to investigate the effect of replacement ratios on the bond between concrete with steel and GFRP rebars. Results showed that concrete loses 26% of its compressive strength after replacing NA with 100% RCA. The results of the pull-out test for steel samples showed 30% higher bonding than GFRP samples. A slight decrease in bond was observed between the control and the tested samples, where the steel and GFRP samples showed a decrease of 5% and 9%, respectively, over the control samples for each, at a replacement percentage of 100%. It was also clear that the steel reinforcement bars had a stronger bond with the concrete, and this can be attributed to the stronger mechanical interlocking of the steel ribs than their counterparts in the GFRP. Failure patterns showed the crushing of concrete with steel bars, in contrast to the GFRP bars, which showed slipping from within the concrete with failure of the ribs in many samples.

On the interaction between the search parameters and the nature of the search problems in search‐based model‐driven engineering

AbstractThe use of search‐based software engineering to address model‐driven engineering activities (SBMDE) is becoming more popular. Many maintenance tasks can be reformulated as a search problem, and, when those tasks are applied to software models, the search strategy has to retrieve a model fragment. There are no studies on the influence of the search parameters when applied to software models. This article evaluates the impact of different search parameter values on the performance of an evolutionary algorithm whose population is in the form of software models. Our study takes into account the nature of the model fragment location problems (MFLPs) in which the evolutionary algorithm is applied. The evaluation searches 1895 MFLPs (characterized through five measures that define MFLPs) from two industrial case studies and uses 625 different combinations of search parameter values. The results show that the impact on the performance when varying the population size, the replacement percentage, or the crossover rate produces changes of around 30% in performance. With regard to the nature of the problems, the size of the search space has the largest impact. Search parameter values and the nature of the MFLPs influence the performance when applying an evolutionary algorithm to perform fragment location on models. Search parameter values have a greater effect on precision values, and the nature of the MFLPs has a greater effect on recall values. Our results should raise awareness of the relevance of the search parameters and the nature of the problems for the SBMDE community.

Post-fire properties of lightweight 3D printed concrete containing expanded perlite

There has been an increase in construction with three-dimensional (3D) printing technology but 3D printed (3DP) structures also require weight reduction similar to conventional reinforced concrete structures. In addition, the behaviour of this type of structure against fire needs to be investigated. The number of printed layers and the time gap between layers for the 3DP specimens were among the variables examined. The test results demonstrate that as the replacement percentage of natural sand (NS) with expanded perlite (EP) increased, at 25% volume of replacement, the interlayer bond strength increased on average by 18.6%, while at the highest replacement level, of 75%, the strength decreased on average by 5.8%. Additionally, by incorporating EP, the compressive and flexural strengths of 3DP specimens declined on average from 9% to 29.7%, and from 39.3% to 49.3%, respectively. As the replacement level of NS increased, residual compressive and flexural strengths increased after exposure to 800°C. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that exposure to high temperature had the least effect on interlayer bond strength, whereas it significantly reduced the compressive and flexural strength. The results show that increasing the time gap between layers reduced interlayer bond strength and flexural strength while negligibly affecting compressive strength.

Применение термически поврежденной древесины в деревоклееных балочных конструкциях

This paper deals with the experimental research results of laminated wood beam structures made using lamellas produced from the pine trees, partially damaged in forest plantations. The purpose of the research has been to study the stress-strain state of laminated wood beam structures utilizing the wood damaged by the thermal exposure caused by a forest fire. Previously, the authors have carried out a significant amount of research into the physical, mechanical and strength properties of thermally damaged pine wood. They have established the dependence of the strength properties of the wood on the degree of fire damage and the wood sampling points according to the height of the stem. Prior to the experiment on the large-scale models in the “Lira 10.12” software complex, numerical studies of four series of single beams with a span of 6.0 m and a section of 140×500 mm produced from the 1st grade pine wood in the upper and lower parts of the section and from thermally damaged pine wood in the middle part of the section. A comparative analysis of the beams has been performed with varying percentages of replacement of the healthy pine wood with the one weakened by the fire along the height of the section: 76, 62, 51 and 36 %. As a result of the numerical calculation of the beams under study using the derived safety factor equaling 1.136, their actual load-bearing capacity has been determined. It has been established that a decrease in the load-bearing capacity of the СB-2 beams equals 12.2 kN, which is 16.05 % relative to the reference beam CB-5, made entirely of the 1st grade pine wood. For the CB-4 beams a decrease in the load-bearing capacity equals 7.4 kN, which is 9.74 % relative to the reference beam CB-5. The difference between the calculated and experimental breaking loads is 9.5 to 14.3 %. The introduction of the safety factor equaling 1.136 in the numerical calculation ensures sufficient convergence of the calculated and experimental data (the measurement error is 3 %). The load-bearing capacity of the reference beam СB-5, made entirely of the 1st grade pine wood, is 12.38 kN/m. For beams CB-1 to CB-4 it equals from 8.53 to 12.06 kN/m. The relative decrease in the load-bearing capacity did not exceed 31.1 to 32.5 %. It has been established that the CB-4 beam, made using 34 % of lamellas produced from thermally damaged pine wood, allows for the load-bearing capacity of 97.5 % relative to the beams made entirely of the 1st grade pine wood.

Seismic Performance of Infilled Reinforced Concrete Frame with Crumb Rubber Mortar Wall Panel

In this paper, the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) frames with crumb rubber mortar wall panels is reported. The tests of the crumb rubber mortar were conducted to obtain model parameters for equivalent diagonal compression struts. With a higher percentage of sand replacement by crumb rubber, the unit weight, the compressive strength, the tensile strength, and the modulus of elasticity of the crumb rubber cement mortar are decreased. Nonlinear pushover analysis of a simple frame shows that the RC frame with a wall panel with less crumb rubber demonstrates lower lateral deformation ability. The failure modes are affected by the amount of crumb rubber and are dependent on the modeling choice of the equivalent compression strut as the wall panel representative. Finally, the seismic performance of the RC building was studied by the equivalent static approach to explore the influence of the crumb rubber mortar wall panels on internal forces and deformations of the frame. With a higher percentage of crumb rubber, the weight of the infill wall panels and the overall weight of the building are reduced, which meets lower seismic base shear demand. This benefit is, however, traded off with higher lateral deformation and also higher inter-story drift of the studied building frames. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-02-09 Full Text: PDF

Pengaruh Penggunaan Limbah Abu Arang Briket Dan Serbuk Batu Bata Merah Sebagai Pengganti Sebagian Semen

Concrete is defined as a mixture of its constituent materials consisting of hydraulic material (Portland Cement), coarse aggregate, fine aggregate and water, with or without the use of added materials (admixture or additives). Cement production produces waste that is harmful to the environment. Utilizing charcoal briquette ash waste and red brick powder waste is an alternative. In this study, 12 cylindrical test objects were used (15 cm x 30 cm) with the use of red brick powder and charcoal briquette ash as a partial replacement for cement plus 3 pieces of normal concrete of the same size without the use of partial cement replacement materials. Percentage of partial replacement of cement with red brick powder 2% briquetted charcoal ash 6% (BB2A6), red brick powder 2% briquetted charcoal ash 9% (BB2A9), red brick powder 2% briquetted charcoal ash 12% (BB2A12), and red brick powder 2% charcoal briquette ash 15% (BB2A15) to the weight of cement. From the research, the effect of using variations of 2% red brick powder and 6% charcoal briquette ash is the variation that has the largest average compressive strength value of 14.29 MPa of all variation.

Green Concrete: Residu Pembakaran Sampah Plastik Dan Tekstil Sebagai Pengganti Sebagian Agregat Halus pada Campuran Beton

Infrastructures are increasing as the population grows. The demand for building materials from the construction industry is also improving. Building materials like fine aggregates come from nature, such as sand. This research aims to partially replace natural fine aggregates in concrete mixes using plastic waste combustion residues. This research uses an experimental method with a quantitative approach. The test specimens used in this study were 24 pieces with a replacement percentage of 0, 5, 10, and 20% residue. The results of this study show that the average concrete strength for replacement of 0, 5, 10, and 20% is 23.77; 23.15; 19.47; 17.77 Mpa. At 5% replacement of fine aggregate, the percentage of concrete strength reached 97.4% of normal concretes. It can be concluded that concrete strength affects the partial replacement of fine aggregates with residues from the combustion of plastic and textile waste.

Optimization of eco-friendly concrete with recycled coarse aggregates and rubber particles as sustainable industrial byproducts for construction practices

In this technology era, sustainable construction practices have become quite imperative. The exploration of alternative materials to reduce the environmental footprint is of paramount importance. This research paper delves into an exhaustive investigation concerning the utilization of recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) and rubber particles (RP) in concrete. It contributes to the growing body of knowledge aimed at fostering sustainable development in the construction industry by reducing waste, promoting recycling, and mitigating the environmental footprint of building materials. The objective of the study is to evaluate the potential benefits and limitations associated with incorporating these materials, thereby providing a sustainable alternative to conventional concrete. In this research, construction and demolition waste were recycled and used as RCA as a fractional switch of natural coarse aggregate (NCA) from 0% to 100%, with an increment of 20% replacement of NCA in concrete. The RP received from discarded tires generated as automobile industry waste were used as a volumetric fractional substitution of sand in concrete from 0% to 20%, with a 5% increment. No pre-treatment for RCA and RP was carried out before their utilization in concrete. A total of 26 mixes, including control concrete without NCA and RP, with a design strength of 40 MPa, were prepared and tested. Concrete mixes were examined for workability, density, mechanical, and durability properties. It was found that the concrete with 60% RCA and 10% RP showed satisfactory results in evaluation with the strength parameters of control concrete, as the compressive strength obtained for this concrete mix is 40.18 MPa, similar to the control mix. The optimization for RCA and RP was conducted using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The major concern observed was a rise in water absorption with an increase in the percentage replacement of NCA and natural sand by RCA and RP. Findings from the investigation illustrate a promising prospect for the use of RCA and RP in concrete applications, displaying competent mechanical properties and enhanced durability under certain conditions, offering a viable option for environmentally friendly construction practices. However, the research also sheds light on some constraints and challenges, such as the variability in the quality of RCA and the necessity for meticulous quality control to ensure the reliability and consistency of the end product. It is discerned that further refinement in processing techniques and quality assurance measures is pivotal for mainstream adoption of RCA and RP in concrete construction.

Strength and Water Absorption Properties of Cement Bricks Containing Sago Fine Waste

The contamination created by the discharge of sago waste, a by-product of sago milling activities, must be addressed. Using sago waste, specifically sago fine waste (SFW), as a partial cement replacement can be environmentally responsible with a cost-effective choice. The effect of adding sago waste to cement brick characteristics was explored in this study. SFW was utilised to make five brick mixes with partial cement replacement percentages of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%. The mortar mix has a 1:3 ratio, consistent with Malaysian brick production regulations. All specimens had a water-cement ratio of 0.6 and had been cured for 7, 28, and 56 days for compressive strength tests and density, while water absorption tests were performed on the specimens at cured 28 days. As a result, SFW2 produces the greatest results compared to control bricks, where the compressive strength is 15.8MPa and density is 2157kg/m3 . SFW generally decreased the strength of the brick. However, it was discovered that replacing a maximum of 5% SFW can be used for load-bearing internal wall class 1 because the strength is more than 7 MPa, according to MS 1933: Part 1: 2007. Therefore, This proves the potential of SFW as a new pozzolanic material that can produce more sustainable bricks.

The Performance of Concrete Containing Slag as a Partial Replacement for Cement

There have been many attempts to examine ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) as partial replacement for cement to improve concrete properties. However, there is a controversy about the proportion of replacement with claiming that a high replacement level might have a negative effect on concrete properties. In this experimental study, the effects of the partial replacement of cement with GGBS varied by 0%, 30%, 50%, and 70% of cement weight on the engineering properties of concrete with a (w/b) of 0.45 were investigated. Workability and set-ting time were used to evaluate the properties of fresh con-crete. Compressive, flexural, and split tensile strength at various curing ages (7, 28, 56 and 90 days) are the mechani-cal properties of concrete being investigated. A porosity test is also performed at the ages of 7 and 28 days to assess the durability aspect of concrete. The main finding was that increasing the replacement level of GGBS increased the initial setting time, which improved the concrete workabil-ity. However, this resulted in a reduction in early strength in comparison to cement type I (CEM I) concrete. Moreover, the partial replacement with 50% GGBS increased the compressive, flexural and tensile strength of concrete at the age of 56 days, whereas partial replacement percentage of 70% GGBS resulted in a lower strength. as a result, the GGBS replacement percentage of 50% might be considered the optimum replacement value. Using a high volume of GGBS in concrete can result in a 40% reduction in concrete voids volume, increasing the resistance of concrete to chemi-cal attack when exposed to severe environmental conditions.

Mechanical properties and microstructure of roller compacted concrete incorporating brick powder, glass powder, and steel slag

Abstract The objective of this study is to explore the feasibility of developing environmentally friendly green roller-compacted concrete (RCC) by utilizing locally available materials. The research investigates the behavior of RCC properties when different amounts of solid waste materials (brick powder, glass powder, and steel slag) are added as substitutes for cement content. To accomplish this, four laboratory tests were conducted: compressive strength, flexural strength, X-ray diffraction analysis, and scanning electron microscope imaging. These tests aimed to identify the changes in concrete properties resulting from the inclusion of waste construction materials as cement replacements. The study employed an approach that involved adding waste materials to the concrete mixture, with replacement percentages ranging from 10.0 to 40.0% in increments of 10.0%. Consequently, 12 concrete mixtures were prepared to examine the effects of adding waste materials (10.0–40.0%) as substitutes for cement content. In addition, one reference mixture was designed without any inclusion of waste materials for comparison purposes. In general, the results indicate that as the percentage of waste construction materials increases in the mixtures, there is a corresponding decrease in compressive strength. However, it is noteworthy that the strength activity index (SAI) exceeded 75% according to ASTM C618 standards. This indicates that the waste construction materials possess pozzolanic properties, making them suitable for use as cement replacements in RCC mixtures.

A Sustainable Approach Using Beef and Pig Bone Waste as a Cement Replacement to Produce Concrete

Owing to the ongoing accumulation of industrial by-products, the management and disposal of waste have emerged as a significant issue. Employing these industrial wastes as an alternative to replace cement holds potential as a promising solution for conserving energy and reducing CO2 emissions. In this study, pig and beef bone powder were used as cement replacements in concrete, and the mechanical properties were studied. Bone powders were prepared from random bones collected from local slaughterhouses, butchers, and restaurants. The pig bone powder (PBP) and beef bone powder (BBP) were prepared by direct fire contact, oven-calcined for 4 h at 300 °C, crushed, and sieved to size 0.4 to 2 mm. A concrete mix design was formulated for a target compressive strength of 21 MPa at 28 days of curing. This design included three different levels of cement replacement with each type of bone powder (10%, 15%, and 20% by mass). These mixes were then evaluated and compared to a control mix without any bone powder replacement (PB-0). This study evaluated the mechanical properties via compressive strength and flexural testing. The results showed that the workability of the mixtures decreased with the increase in bone powder content. Bone powder functions as a pozzolanic substance, engaging in a chemical reaction with the calcium hydroxide in concrete to produce compounds that exhibit cement-like properties; however, an increase in bone powder content worsened the mechanical properties. The most promising results were obtained for a 10% replacement percentage of BBP and PBP, obtaining strengths of 21.15 MPa and 22.78 MPa, respectively. These are both above the design strength, with PBP concrete even exceeding the strength of PB-0 (21.75 MPa). These results showed a good agreement with the standard values and allow to use these wastes as a replacement for cement, becoming a sustainable solution to the exploitation of quarry materials and, in turn, to the problem of contamination by biological waste from the meat industry.

Sustainable Concrete: Exploring Fresh, Mechanical, Durability, and Microstructural Properties with Recycled Fine Aggregates

The growing construction industry and global population have led to increased demand for concrete, resulting in increased waste production. Recycling construction and demolition (C&D) waste as recycled fine aggregates (RFA) in concrete could help reduce waste and conserve natural resources. This research delves into the meticulous examination of particle packing density within specific cylindrical volumes under standard compacting efforts, elucidating an order of compressive strength. The study comprehensively explores various concrete properties, including workability, compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength, drying shrinkage, electrical resistivity, rapid chloride penetration, and microstructural characteristics (analyzed through XRD, SEM, and EDAX). RFA particles, ranging from 0.15 to 4.75 mm, were employed as partial replacements for fine aggregates, with replacement percentages varying from 0% to 100% in increments of 25%. The empirical findings underscore that the incorporation of RFA significantly enhances concrete properties. However, it was observed that surpassing the optimum replacement percentage of 25% (RFA 25) adversely impacts the concrete’s strength and microstructure. Specifically, RFA 25 exhibited remarkable improvements, with a 14.75% increase in compressive strength, a 6.61% boost in flexural strength, and a 13.14% enhancement in split tensile strength compared to conventional concrete (RC). Furthermore, RFA 25 demonstrated a 4.16% increment in drying shrinkage, 17.65% higher electrical resistivity, and an 18.83% superior resistance to chloride penetration compared to RC. The analysis of XRD, SEM, and EDAX results elucidated that at lower replacement percentages, the pozzolanic reaction enhances strength by forming additional hydration products. Conversely, at higher replacement levels, strength diminishes.

Valorisation of "La Palma" Volcanic Ash for Making Portland-Blended, Alkaline and Hybrid Portland-Alkaline Cements.

The present work evaluates the feasibility of using volcanic fly ash (VFA) generated by the eruption of the Tajogaite volcano on the island of La Palma (Spain) in 2021, as a precursor in the preparation of cementitious materials with different Portland cement (PC) replacement levels (0%, 30%, 70% and 100%), in the absence (Blended Cement, BC) and presence of an alkaline activator (Hybrid Alkaline Cement, HAC, and Alkaline Cements, AC). Hydration kinetics (isothermal conduction calorimetry), paste mechanical strengths and reaction products were characterised by XRD, FTIR, TG/DTG and BSEM/EDX. The results obtained indicate that the strengths developed by the hybrid alkaline cements (HAC) are higher than those of the blended cements (BC), especially at the age of 2 days, where 25 MPa were obtained with the replacement of 70% PC by VFA. Alkaline cements (AC, 100% VFA) that were prepared with 8 M NaOH solution as the activator reached 40 MPa after 2 days. It was observed that in all the binders, depending on the initial composition of the binder mixture and the percentage of replacement and/or activator, VFA reacts to form cementitious gels, C-A-S-H and N-A-S-H type, which supports its use as a mineral addition to blended cement or as a precursor in the preparation of alkaline and hybrid alkaline cements.

Effect of partially replacement of ordinary Portland clinker by basaltic rocks on the properties of blended cement

ABSTRACT The cement industry ranks as one of the most significant contributors to carbon emissions among industrial sectors globally. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have the potential to lead to considerable health and economic concerns. CO2 is the second-leading gas after steam, in creating the greenhouse effect. A significant percentage of CO2 emissions in cement plants come from the calcination of limestone to produce clinker. This study examines the impact of partially substituting ordinary Portland clinker with basaltic rocks on the characteristics of the resulting cement. These are employed to mitigate the impact of environmental contamination (CO2 emissions). The studied basaltic rocks were tested to determine the optimal weight percentage replacement. Five mixtures were produced through the partial substitution of clinker with varying proportions of basaltic rocks (10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%). An investigation was carried out to examine the impact of basaltic rocks on various properties of the produced cement, including workability, setting time, and strength. The parameters were investigated and evaluated by carrying out tests on fresh and hardened mortar specimens at specific time intervals. The results of the investigation lead to the conclusion that the ideal suggested proportion of the studied basaltic rocks as a partial substitute for ordinary Portland clinker is 15%.

Experimental investigation on the Effect of Superplasticizer on Concrete Containing Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP)

In this research, experimental investigation of concrete containing recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and Superplasticizer (SP) was conducted to study the effect of RAP replacement and SP on some important factors such as slump, water absorption, and density for different concrete mixes. Twenty concrete mixtures were prepared using crushed RAP as a coarse aggregate at different replacement percentages; 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% by weight of natural coarse aggregate (NA). Superplasticizer dosage varied from 0% to 2.1% (liters per 100 kg of cement). The test results showed that the trend of the relationships of slump and water absorption for concrete with RAP and SP were similar to the traditional concrete (100% NA). Higher slump and water absorption were attained for concrete with higher RAP replacement. In addition, higher SP content revealed higher slump and water absorption. The higher increase in slump and water absorption reached to 38% and 25% respectively compared to control concrete (0% SP). However, more inclusion of RAP aggregate resulted in lower density for concrete and no discernable trend was observed between concrete density and SP content across various RAP replacements.

Experimental Studies on Paver Block Concrete using Granite and Kota Stone Waste with Environmental effects on Strength

The need to address the worldwide demand for the preservation of limited resources has prompted the exploration of alternate materials. The application of waste materials in the concrete sector is experiencing a growing trend due to its potential to mitigate costs and minimize environmental repercussions. This study aims to assess the appropriateness of utilizing waste materials from granite and Kota stone for the production of interlocking concrete paver blocks (ICPB). The current study examines the potential use of waste materials from granite and Kota stone as substitutes for natural aggregates in the production of concrete interlocking paving blocks. The focus is on applications that cater to pedestrians and non-traffic scenarios. Concrete blocks of M30-grade were cast for this study. The replacement percentages were ranged from 0% to 100% for Kota stone as coarse aggregates and from 0% to 40% for granite waste as fine aggregates and total of 543 samples were cast using the replacement level. The mix proportion ratio used was 1:1.57:2.76 (cement: sand: aggregates) while continuing a constant water-cement ratio of 0.45. Weathered Kota stone waste (0, 25, 50, 75, 100%) was also used as anauxiliary for coarse aggregates in M30-grade concrete. The tests conducted covered the physical characterization of the constituent materials, determination of compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, abrasion resistance, and water absorption tendency for both hardened concrete blocks and I-shaped interlocking pavers. The result indicates that while using stone waste (granite and Kota stone), the required compressive strength was achieved up to a replacement level of 100% Kota stone and 5% granite waste. Flexural strength and splitting tensile strength were also satisfactory at all replacement ratios, along with normal water absorption and minimum abrasion. Paver blocks were also cast from waste stones at various replacement levels. In this study, concrete blocks were also cast using weathered Kota stone waste, which also provided sufficient strength at some level of replacement. The findings suggest that waste stone may be a viable option for manufacturing interlocking pavers, contributing to the development of an environmentally conscious and sustainable pavement infrastructure.

Effects of sugarcane bagasse ash as partial replacement of cement in the compressive strength and light transmissibility of Litracon blocks

Living up to a culture of sustainability and efficiency, the Light Transmitting Concrete or Litracon came to its prominence recently. Aside from that, the increase in the production of cement for building structures to facilitate various social dynamics has contributed to the world’s exponentially increasing carbon emissions. Thereby, this study acts upon both phenomena by partially replacing the cement in the concrete mix for producing Litracon blocks using an agricultural waste material called Sugarcane Bagasse Ash or SCBA while aiming to improve their structural performance. The study used five (5) mix designs of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% replacements, and a controlled mix with no replacement. Three (3) cubic samples of 150 mm side dimension for each mix were subjected to the light transmissibility test before the compressive strength test. Results showed that the illumination values in lux of 103 to 120 were at par with the Philippine illumination guidelines for interior rooms, from 100 to 150. Moreover, the highest recorded compressive strength result with SCBA percentage replacement was the 5% design mix at 28.81 MPa, and the 2.5% design mix had the lowest recorded compressive strength of 23.51 MPa. The results further showed that even with no significant relationship between the percentage replacements and compressive strength values from the two-tailed T-test, no significant difference between such strength values was found using the One-way ANOVA test. Thus, this supports the claim that SCBA can partially replace the cement used for the concrete mix of Litracon blocks.