Sustainable Concrete Development using Ternary Agro- Industrial Waste Blends as Cement Replacement

The construction sector is at a decisive juncture where decarbonization is necessary primarily due to the fact that the production of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) has an average contribution of approximately 8% of the total human-induced CO? on the planet. This paper addresses the following issues: how can cement be partially substituted with a blend of agro-industrial waste: Chana Husk Ash (CHA), Wheat Husk Ash (WHA), and Artificial Sand Waste (ASW) powder. The characterization of the materials reveals that, besides the agro-ashes being rather crystalline, they are also deficient in chemicals, i.e., low in SiO?+and high in CaO in CHA. The ASW powder, though, meets the pozzolanic requirements with SiO?+Al?O?+Fe?O? ?75.8%, which is the primary chemical participant in the mixture. The five mixes of concrete of M20 grade (M0-M4) with a maximum replacement of 80% were prepared and tested. An evaluation of 28-day mechanical strength and durability demonstrates that mix M4 - in which the overall replacement is 30 percent - provides the most desirable balance. M4 had a reduced embodied carbon emissions by 43% of that in normal concrete. These findings validate that massive waste valorisation can achieve both technical viability and which can be very beneficial to the environment, so as to make construction sustainable.