Assessing Structural Performance of Ceramic Waste as Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate on Properties of Concrete

Abstract

The need to reduce the increasing demand for crushed granite as coarse aggregate as well as the need to safeguard the environment from degradation has given rise to various researches on alternative materials that can serve the same purpose while minimizing environment hazard. This study assessed the suitability of waste ceramic tiles as coarse aggregate in concrete and to ascertain its strength against normal crushed granite. Crushed waste ceramic tiles from ceramic manufacturing industries and construction sites were mixed with crushed granite stones as partial replacement for concrete. A mix ratio of 1: 1.11: 2.72 (cement: sand: stones) for nominal C30 concrete was produced with (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 100) percent volume ceramic waste aggregate replacement for crushed granite at a constant water-cement ratio of 0.5. Concrete cubes of size 150mm x 150mm x 150mm were produced and tested for 7 days and 28 days compressive strength, density and water absorption. The results revealed the viability of waste ceramic tiles as partial replacement for crushed granite in concrete production, but the partial replacement should not exceed 20% as recommended maximum for structural concrete. This mode of recycling ceramic waste could positively sustain the environment.