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Mechanical, durability, and microstructural properties of mortars containing spent mushroom substrate as partial fine
Loginy Loganathan1, Soon Poh Yap2, Beng Fye Lau3
1Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Summary
Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) can replace fine aggregates in masonry mortar, creating a sustainable, lightweight material. This approach reduces waste and lowers carbon emissions, with optimal results up to 12.5% SMS inclusion.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Construction
- Waste Management
Background:
- Conventional construction materials contribute to environmental concerns.
- Improper disposal of mushroom waste presents ecological challenges.
- Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) offers a potential resource for sustainable building materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using SMS as a fine aggregate replacement in lightweight masonry mortar.
- To evaluate the impact of SMS incorporation on mortar properties and environmental footprint.
- To determine the optimal replacement level for sustainable mortar production.
Main Methods:
- Mortars were prepared with varying percentages (2.5-15.0%) of SMS replacing fine aggregates.
- Key properties including density, workability, compressive strength, and flexural strength were measured.
- Equivalent CO2 emissions and cost-effectiveness were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Density decreased by up to 34.8% with increased SMS content.
- Compressive strength ranged from 24.96 to 3.37 MPa with increasing SMS percentages.
- Mortar mixes with up to 12.5% SMS met ASTM C129 standards for strength.
- CO2 emissions reduced by 15.09%, and cost-effectiveness increased by 98.15% with SMS incorporation.
Conclusions:
- Incorporating up to 12.5% SMS as fine aggregate is a viable strategy for sustainable lightweight mortar.
- This method effectively reduces carbon emissions and enhances cost-effectiveness.
- SMS utilization provides an eco-friendly alternative for mushroom waste disposal in construction.
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