Study of Concrete Involving Use of Waste Paper Sludge Ash as Partial Replacement of Cement

Abstract

Cement manufacturing industry is one of the carbon dioxide emitting sources besides deforestation and burning of fossil fuels and concrete industry is one of the largest consumers of natural virgin materials. The global cement industry contributes about 7% of greenhouse gas emission to the earth’s atmosphere. In order to address environmental effects associated with cement manufacturing and constantly depleting natural resources, there is a need to develop alternative binders to make concrete industry sustainable. This work examines the possibility of using waste paper sludge ash as partial replacement of cement for new concrete. In this study waste paper sludge ash was partially replaced as 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% in place of cement in concrete for M25 mix and tested for its compressive strength, tensile strength, water absorption and dry density up to 28 days of age and compared with conventional concrete. From the results obtained, it is found that Waste Paper Sludge Ash can be used as cement replacement up to 5% by weight and particle size less than 90µm to prevent decrease in workability. Further waste paper sludge has very high calorific value and could be used as a fuel before using its ash as partial cement replacement