Sustainable Concrete Using Ceramic Tile Waste as a Substitute for Brick Aggregate

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Growing demand for sustainable construction materials.
• Need to reduce landfill waste from construction and demolition debris.
• Potential of recycled materials as substitutes for natural aggregates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanical properties of concrete incorporating waste ceramic tiles (CTW) as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate.
• To assess the impact of CTW on concrete strength and durability.
• To evaluate the environmental benefits of using CTW in concrete mixes.

Main Methods:

• Concrete cubes were prepared using a 1:2:4 mix ratio and a 0.50 water-cement ratio.
• Waste ceramic tiles (CTW) replaced coarse aggregate at percentages of 20%, 40%, and 70%.
• Control specimens (CC) used conventional coarse aggregate. Samples tested at 14 and 28 days for mechanical properties and durability.

Main Results:

• Concrete incorporating CTW showed a considerable increase in mechanical strength compared to conventional concrete.
• Water absorption performance of concrete increased with the addition of CTW.
• Optimized replacement levels of CTW can enhance concrete performance.

Conclusions:

• Replacing brick chips with CTW in concrete mixes enhances mechanical strength and durability.
• The use of CTW in concrete offers significant environmental advantages by diverting waste from landfills.
• CTW is a viable sustainable alternative for coarse aggregate in concrete applications.