Exploitation of industrial by-products to optimize the properties of ecological concrete for sustainable construction

Abstract

This study aims to develop an eco-friendly Flowable Sand Concrete (FSC) by partially replacing cement with ceramic waste (an industrial by-product) and seashell powder (a natural waste material) at replacement levels of 5%, 10%, and 15%. Additionally, 25% of natural sand was replaced with granite waste, another industrial by-product. A series of tests were conducted on both fresh and hardened concrete to evaluate the effects of these substitutions on properties such as compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption, and porosity. The results showed that, with optimized replacement ratios, the incorporation of these waste materials can improve or maintain concrete performance without compromising durability, thereby supporting the goal of sustainable and environmentally responsible construction