INCORPORATING INDUSTRIAL WASTES INTO MORTAR MIX PRODUCTION: A STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION

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• Available online in Detritus - In Press
• Pages

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Abstract

The incorporation of calcined sludge (CS) from water treatment plants and nitrophosphogypsum (NPG) into mortar mixtures has been investigated as a potential strategy to reduce the consumption of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and subsequently lower the carbon footprint of construction materials. Two scenarios were subjected to analysis: in the first, CO₂ emissions resulting from the treatment of NPG and CS were considered; in the second, emissions were considered negligible due to the reduced energy demand of waste treatment processes compared to OPC production. The chemical composition and mechanical properties of the mortars were evaluated through the use of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and compressive strength testing. The mortar mixtures were prepared with a water-to-binder ratio of 0.485 in accordance with the ASTM standards. The mortar mixture containing 5% NPG and 5% CS exhibited a 6.65% increase in compressive strength, reaching 38.96 MPa after 90 days. Despite a slight reduction in early strength, long-term performance was enhanced by the formation of additional calcium silicate hydrates. Regarding sustainability, a reduction of 62.06 kg CO₂ per cubic meter of mortar was achieved in both scenarios, with more substantial reductions in Scenario 2. These results show that incorporating NPG and CS supports the circular economy by utilizing industrial by-products and provides a sustainable alternative to OPC, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions while maintaining or enhancing mechanical performance, thereby aligning with global efforts towards eco-friendly construction practices.

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Keywords

• Mortar
• Water treatment plant sludges
• Mineral admixtures
• Nitrophosphogypsum

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Editorial History

• Received: 16 Jul 2024
• Revised: 10 Oct 2024
• Accepted: 11 Nov 2024
• Available online: 24 Jan 2025

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