Using recycled coarse aggregate and ceramic waste to produce sustainable economic concrete

In this research, experimental work was conducted to validate the efficiency of Ceramic Waste Powder (CWP), Ceramic Fine Aggregate (CFA) and Recycled Coarse Aggregate (RCA) as a replacement for cement, Natural Fine Aggregate (NFA) and Natural Coarse Aggregate (NCA) respectively. The importance of this study is the utilization of ceramic waste and RCA together in the concrete mix in order to decrease usage of natural resources in production of concrete, and also to reduce carbon emissions from cement production and dependency on landfills for C&D materials. Eight concrete mixes were prepared in this study, and the mechanical properties, shrinkage, cost and CO2 emissions were obtained for each mix. Finally, a benefit index was derived to estimate the validity of the new recycled concrete in terms of the mechanical properties, cost and CO2 emissions together. It was found that a concrete mix with 100% replacement of NCA by RCA, 20% cement replacement by CWP and 20% NFA replacement by CFA was 26% more advantageous than the control mix in terms of being sustainable and economic. This product proved to be a promising mix, 47% of whose conventional concrete components could be replaced by recycled materials.

Automated summary

This research validated the efficiency of using ceramic waste and recycled coarse aggregate in concrete to reduce natural resource usage, carbon emissions, and improve economic benefits. Among the eight concrete mixes tested, a mix with 100% replacement of natural coarse aggregate with recycled coarse aggregate, 20% cement replacement with ceramic waste powder, and 20% natural fine aggregate replacement with ceramic fine aggregate showed 26% more advantages in terms of sustainability and cost-effectiveness.