Abstract:

With rapid industrialization and urbanization over the past few decades, the generation of waste materials has increased significantly, leading to serious environmental concerns. Landfills are reaching capacity at an alarming rate, and the disposal of industrial waste has become a major global challenge. To address this issue, researchers and engineers are exploring innovative ways to repurpose waste materials in construction applications. One such solution is incorporating industrial by-products into concrete production, which not only mitigates waste disposal problems but also enhances the properties of construction materials. This study investigates the feasibility of using fly ash as a partial replacement for cement and glass waste as a substitute for fine aggregates in manufacturing concrete paver blocks. Paver block technology, initially introduced for applications such as footpaths and parking areas, is now being widely adopted in diverse construction projects where traditional pavement methods, such as bituminous mix or cement concrete, are impractical. This study examines M30-grade concrete paver blocks with varying levels of glass waste replacement for fine aggregates at 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%. Additionally, fly ash was incorporated as a partial cement replacement at a constant level of 25%. The objective was to evaluate the impact of these substitutions on the mechanical properties and durability of the paver blocks. The experimental results demonstrate that the inclusion of glass waste and fly ash significantly enhances the performance of paver blocks. Compressive strength tests reveal that up to an optimal level, replacing fine aggregates with glass waste contributes to improved strength characteristics. Beyond a certain percentage, a slight reduction in strength is observed due to changes in material bonding. The use of fly ash as a cement substitute not only helps reduce the environmental footprint of concrete production but also improves workability and long-term durability. The modified paver blocks exhibited good resistance to wear, water absorption, and abrasion, making them suitable for sustainable construction applications. By incorporating fly ash and glass waste, this research promotes a circular economy by repurposing industrial by-products into value-added construction materials. The findings suggest that optimized replacement percentages can lead to the development of cost-effective, eco-friendly, and durable paver blocks suitable for various infrastructure projects. Future research can explore the long-term performance of these modified paver blocks under real-world conditions, including exposure to traffic loads and environmental factors. The study concludes that integrating waste materials into paver block production presents a viable solution for sustainable construction while addressing critical waste management challenges.

Description:

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