EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON THE UTILIZATION OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE ASH BLENDED WITH TEXTILE SLUDGE ASH AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF CEMENT IN HIGH-STRENGTH CONCRETE

Abstract

Concrete is one of the most commonly utilized building materials in construction industry because of its versatility. Among the constituents of concrete cement is expensive and also a major producer of carbon dioxide (CO2). So, it is highly imperative to use non-conventional cementing materials in place of the conventional materials. In this research work, an attempt has been made to study the influence of Biomedical Waste Ash (BMWA) blended with Textile Sludge Ash (TSA) on fresh, mechanical and durability properties of concrete. Concrete grade C-40 has been used for this research work and the mix design was carried out as per American Concrete Institute (ACI)-4R-93 mix design standards. Five different concrete mix test specimens were casted by varying the content of the wastes as cementing material. From fresh properties of concrete, the workability was studied by slump and compaction test followed by density test. From mechanical properties, compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength were studied. From durability perspective, resistance water absorption and elevated temperature effect have been studied. Further, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) tests were conducted on the samples to study the microstructure of powder formed concrete sample after 28 days curing period. Finally, a cost comparison was done between the conventional and optimum non conventional concrete with the wastes as cementing material. The experimental results showed an improved mechanical properties and resistance to durability for the concrete with the wastes as cementing materials which were mostly due to the Pozzolanic properties. The optimum mix of concrete from strength and durability perspective was improved up to 5% replacement of biomedical waste blended with textile sludge. The X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) pattern showed the presence of mineralogical good composition for cement content includes portlandite, ettringite, quartz, calcite and okenite in cement and aggregate phases. The SEM image result showed that the enlargement of interfacial transition zone by decreasing the pore proportion and a denser calcium silicate hydrate gel as compared with control mix. From cost perspective, the Mix 1 was 2.7% cheaper when compared with control mix.