Abstract:

Concrete remains the most widely used construction material due to its versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness. However, the production of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) contributes significantly to carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, with approximately 0.8 to 1 ton of CO₂ released per ton of cement produced. These emissions from cement industries lead to ecological imbalances and greenhouse effects, necessitating the search for eco-friendly alternatives. One of the most promising solutions is the development of geopolymer concrete, which replaces cement with alkali-activated binders derived from industrial by-products rich in alumino-silicate compounds, such as fly ash. This study investigates the partial replacement of natural river sand with ceramic tile waste in geopolymer concrete, incorporating 90% fly ash and 10% tile powder as the primary binder. The geopolymerization process is activated using sodium hydroxide (10M) and sodium silicate solutions. Fine aggregate is replaced with ceramic tile waste in varying proportions of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%, and a comparative study is conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of the modified concrete under both oven curing (60°C & 80°C) and ambient curing (7 and 28 days) conditions. The experimental results indicate that compressive strength improves with an increase in ceramic tile waste content, reaching its peak at 20% replacement. The highest strength values were achieved at 28 days of ambient curing, demonstrating the potential of ceramic tile waste as a viable alternative to natural sand. Beyond 20% replacement, a gradual reduction in strength was observed, suggesting that excessive ceramic waste content may affect the workability and bonding properties of geopolymer concrete. By utilizing fly ash and ceramic tile waste, this research highlights an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional Portland cement-based concrete, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions and promoting the recycling of industrial waste materials. The study demonstrates that geopolymer concrete with optimized ceramic tile waste content can maintain high structural integrity, making it a cost-effective, environmentally responsible solution for the construction industry.

Description:

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