EFFECT OF PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF SAND BY MSWI-BA ON THE PROPERTIES OF MORTAR

Abstract

Disposal of municipal solid wastes (MSW) has recently become a major problem in Lebanon as finding appropriate landfill is becoming more challenging than ever. Incineration is a technique currently used to reduce the volume of MSW generated. The output of this treatment is a residue well known as Municipal Solid Waste Incineration bottom and fly ash. This study is focused on the mortar containing Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ash (MSWI-BA) as partial replacement of sand. For this purpose, mortar specimens were prepared with 25, 50 and 100% (by weight) MSWI-BA to replace the sand. Specimens were cured in water for 2, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days. Testing included; compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), density, capillary water absorption (CWA) and total water absorption (TWA). Results indicate that 25% of sand can be replaced with MSWI-BA without significant alterations in mortar properties. Above 25% replacement levels, there is drastic decrease in compressive strength and UPV. The absorption by total immersion and capillary rise was found to increase as the replacement levels of sand by MSWIBA go up from 25% to 100% but significantly diminish as the curing duration increases beyond 7 days.