Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ECO-FRIENDLY HIGH STRENGTH CONCRETE PRODUCTION USING SILICA MINERAL WASTE AS FINE AGGREGATE – AN ECOLOGICAL APPROACH

Selvaraj Kumar P., Murthi P., Gobinath R. and Paul Awoyera

Abstract

The environmental degradation emanating from unmanaged solid waste disposal is alarming, and this has enormous effect on ecology. In the present study, an eco-friendly high strength concrete production using silica mineral waste (eco sand) was explored. The workability, strength characteristics, and morphology of the high strength concrete with and without eco sand were examined. There was low slump and compacting factor in all the concrete mixtures, but strength characteristics were enhanced with the incorporation of eco sand as fine aggregate. Higher strength characteristics were achieved in the eco sand concrete than the reference mixtures, this occurred at an optimum eco sand content of 25%. Eco sand being a discarded waste material which is not used in any industry, impregnation in concrete will enhance the effectiveness of utilizing it.