Article
REPLACEMENT OF FINE AGGREGATE WITH INDUSTRIAL WASTE
The construction industry is one of the largest consumers of natural resources worldwide, with fine aggregates (sand) being a critical component in concrete production. The excessive demand for natural sand, driven by rapid urbanization, infrastructure expansion, and population growth, has resulted in environmental degradation, scarcity of resources, and escalating costs. This has prompted researchers to explore sustainable alternatives for fine aggregates in concrete production. Industrial waste materials, generated in massive quantities across the globe, offer a promising and eco-friendly solution for replacing fine aggregates. Common industrial wastes such as fly ash, blast furnace slag, quarry dust, foundry sand, copper slag, marble dust, silica fume, ceramic waste, and stone dust not only reduce reliance on natural sand but also contribute to solving the problem of waste disposal. The reuse of industrial by-products in concrete offers multiple benefits: conservation of natural resources, cost reduction, environmental protection, and improved mechanical and durability properties of concrete. Several studies have demonstrated that partial or complete replacement of fine aggregates with industrial waste enhances compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural behavior, density, and resistance to chemical attacks. However, the performance of concrete depends significantly on the type, fineness, and chemical composition of the waste material. Furthermore, integrating such wastes in construction practices supports sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly those related to responsible consumption, waste management, and climate change mitigation. This study aims to comprehensively review the potential of industrial wastes as replacements for fine aggregates in concrete. It examines the physical and chemical properties of various industrial wastes, their effects on fresh and hardened concrete, the environmental advantages of waste utilization, and the challenges associated with large-scale adoption. The findings underscore that industrial waste can serve as a viable substitute for sand, provided appropriate mix design, proportioning, and quality control are ensured.
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