Impacts of nonconventional construction materials on concrete strength development: case studies

Abstract

Sustainable building technology is a new approach adopted in built environment, which is focused on significantly reducing impact of the construction industry on the environment. Moreover, the world is largely driving development of sustainable and smart products to mitigate global pollution issues. In this study, assessment of the impacts of using alternative constituents such as crumb rubber, coconut shell, recycled aggregate, GGBS, human hair, banana fiber, industrial sludge, saw dust, rice husk, wood waste, textile, copper slag, textile, glass powder, plastic etc., on concrete strength development using case studies has been performed. The paper explores the research work carried out towards sustainable approach in replacement of basic composition of concrete. It focuses on various waste materials used as a substitute options in concrete and characteristic strength development along with potential challenges. Leading researches relating to sustainable materials were also explored. The results show that the alternative aggregates, mostly with minimally usage of about 20% increased the compressive strength properties of concrete. Usage of fibres to about increased the flexural property of concrete and the replacement of waste sludge didn’t show appreciable increased of compressive strength.