Recent Advances in Building Materials and Technologies

Civil engineering is an integral part of the effective use of polymeric composite materials. A promising direction is to use composites for the strengthening of reinforced concrete structure. Solidity of these products, their structure and accuracy of making the repair is largely associated with the manifestation of residual technological stresses, which occur during moulding. The paper deals with the study of stress–strain behaviour of the moulded composite structure in the process of its cooling. It is shown that both physico-mechanical characteristics of materials and rheonomic properties of the moulded product should be taken into account when the cooling stage is designed. Analytical dependences of the effect of rheonomic properties on the stress–strain behaviour of the moulded composite package at the cooling stage have been obtained. These dependences also allow calculating the process parameters of stepwise cooling stage. It is demonstrated that the phenomena of creep and relaxation in the structure at the cooling stage may lead to increase in the process-induced deformations and reduction of stresses in the moulded product. The method for determination of the moulding process parameters (temperature, time) which provide the regulated stress–strain behaviour of the structure has been developed. The results allow improving the accuracy of calculations of process-induced stresses and deformations and providing an additional opportunity to optimize the cooling mode (choosing of temperature holding time) for the reduction of residual stress and deformation level.

The development of urbanization, combined with the growth in population, has resulted in a rapid increase in the amount of domestic solid waste. This has caused a significant burden on efforts to protect the environment and has a direct impact on the lives of humans. Glass that has been broken on building sites is typically thrown away and should be recycled. The mixing of this recycled broken glass into concrete has contributed to make the environment a better place while also reducing the pressure on materials that are in limited supply in building materials, such as stone aggregate. In the experiments that are presented in this paper, recycled broken pieces of glass are used to partially or entirely replace the elemental stone aggregate that is typically found in concrete. Recycled pieces of broken glass, with the percentage of stone aggregate in the concrete being replaced by glass varying from 0 to 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%, respectively. When the recycled glass content of the concrete sample is increased to above 70%, the compressive strength of the concrete sample decreases from 10 to 20% compressive strength when 100% recycled glass is used. The results of the research show that the recycled glass content of 30% glass aggregate in concrete is the most optimal.

The aggravating global plastic waste crisis has made it imperative for many industries, including the construction industry, to prioritize the exploration of innovative ways to recycle and reuse plastic waste. The usage of plastics in concrete not only diverts this material from landfills and the environment but also offers a sustainable solution for the construction sector. This paper aims to discuss the recent research on the inclusion of plastic wastes in concrete that including the types of plastic waste used, their effects on the various properties in concrete and the environmental benefits. The plastic waste used in concrete includes polyethylene terephthalate, polysterene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene and polypropylene (PP) as partial replacements for coarse or fine aggregate in concrete mixtures. The addition of plastic waste to concrete has shown to enhance its mechanical and durability properties, as well as reduce the environmental impact associated with the disposal of plastic waste. The paper concludes that the addition of plastic waste in concrete has the potential to provide a sustainable solution to the problem of plastic waste disposal while contributing to the development of durable and high-performance concrete structures.

Natural resource availability is rapidly decreasing around the globe as a result of increased demand brought on by boosted infrastructure development as well as a rise in the demand for concrete. Concrete plays a crucial part in the advancement of cities all over the Globe which creates harm to the environment. So far, a huge part of scrap ceramic tiles is used in disposal areas. Making use of these ceramic tiles wastes in concrete can somewhat reduce environmental concerns. This study’s primary goal is to experimentally examine the feasibility to use the already utilized ceramic tiles, i.e., scrap pieces from the demolition of residences as an option for coarse aggregate in concrete. The procedure consisted of gathering, cleaning, and shattering scrap ceramic tiles and use as a partial substitute to coarse aggregate in M30 concrete and performing various tests such as the Flexure Test, Compressive Strength test, and Split Tensile Test. Ceramic aggregate was employed as a substitute for natural coarse aggregate in concrete at various weight percentages ranging from 0 to 50%. After analyzing the results, it was found that the ideal estimated value of reclaimed ceramic tile inside around 30% of the concrete mix had a water-to-cement ratio of 0.5. It is indicating improvement in compressive strength and flexural strength of concrete by the age of 7 and 28 days, respectively. In comparison to ordinary concrete, the results demonstrated that using waste from ceramic tile manufacturing as coarse aggregate in concrete increased its compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength to a certain extent and then decreases with an increase in % of scrap ceramic tiles. Additionally, the use of waste from ceramic tile manufacturing as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate in concrete may help lower waste disposal costs and increase the sustainability of the building sector.

Rapid expansion in the construction industry results in higher demand for natural resources, namely river sand, stone aggregate, etc., used in construction. As per Deccan Herald, the state of Karnataka, India, demands about 45 LMT of sand for construction despite availability of 35 LMT. Interestingly, the urbanization boom in construction and development results in large-scale generation of construction and demolition waste (C&D waste). Utilizing C&D waste as aggregates can provide sustainable alternatives and bridge the gap between supply and demand. In this context, through this experimental program, an attempt has been made to utilize C&D waste as an alternative to conventional sand in development of masonry mortar. An attempt is also made to assess the mechanical characteristics of masonry prisms with reduced mortar thickness. This is expected to result in reduced mortar consumption, increased pace of construction, and ultimate reduction in the overall cost of the project. The different combination of mortars was attempted using replacement of m-sand with demolished concrete and masonry waste for construction of prisms. The results indicate all mortars explored can be suitably used in masonry construction. Stack bonded prisms exhibited improved compressive in comparison with English bonded prism. Lastly, thin-jointed masonry used around 50% less material than traditional masonry with 12–15 mm thick mortar joints. In conclusion, thin joint masonry resulted in reduced consumption of natural resources, use of marginal materials, circularity in construction, and reduced embodied carbon emissions and thereby improve the overall sustainability of the project.

Recent technical developments, a lot of attention has been paid to strengthening concrete with nanoparticles. Utilizing supplemental cementitious materials (SCM), considerable effort has been made to lower the cement content in the construction sector. The purpose of this study is to use supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs) in combination with regular Portland cement, such as ground (GGBS) and nanosilica. The nanosilica is partially replaced with cement at a dosage of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4%, and GGBS proportions were utilized as 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 for cement that is only partially replaced. The water–cement ratio is 0.45, and concrete of the M30 grade was utilized to accomplish the study. The experiments on hardened concrete as compressive test, split tensile strength, and flexural strength at 7 and 28-days intervals were conducted. The quality of the concrete specimens with partial replacement of nanosilica and GGBS was accessed through performing ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test, and further, the dynamic modulus of modified concrete specimen was determined. The findings of the study showed that additions of nanosilica and GGBS in concrete can amplify the mechanical properties and durability properties of the concrete. The finding of the study revealed that by incorporating 3% of nanosilica and 15% of GGBS as a cement substitute resulted in optimum strength of the concrete with regard to compression, flexural, and split tensile strength test. The UPV findings showed that microstructure improvement of concrete is achieved by adding nanosilica and GGBS which indicate enhancement in durability of concrete.

Brick is a primary building material that is frequently used in masonry construction, but recently, many studies have focused on the use of based material as alternative material to a conventional brick. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic is used in current studies to manufacture plastic bricks in powdered form as a recycled material. However, this study aims to evaluate the mechanical and visual investigation of plastic in a standard size of 200 × 100 × 100 mm PET brick. This study mainly focuses on the exclusion of the pollution from the environment due to PET plastic brick by converting waste plastic in the production of conventional brick for construction. PET was mixed with laterite soil at 5, 10, and 15% with XRF analysis of the required constituent of soil being added. The burned clay brick after 7th and 21th day which the sample was tested for compressive strength, fire resistance, water absorption, impact, soundness, efflorescence, and hardness tests. In comparison with conventional brick, the manufactured bricks have good heat resistance and smooth finishing, negligible water absorption, and adequate compressive strength to meet the increased demand for traditional construction materials.

Aim of this project is to increase the compressive strength and workability of concrete by using magnetized water. Concrete is made up of cement, sand, aggregate, and water. Water is an important part of preparing concrete. The strength and workability of concrete are greatly influenced by its importance. Improved workability and strength of concrete can be achieved by using a new technology known as magnetized water. For the creation of magnetic water, we prepare a model that contains air cooler motor, copper pipe, and ring magnet. In this model, the water cooler motor has used with voltage of 180–230 V and power of 18 watts. After take a test on normal water and magnetize water from laboratory. Before casting the cube, taken a test of the material that we have to use for casting. To determine the specific gravity of cement and then cast the cube in 4 batch that is normal water, magnetic water, normal water with admixture and magnetic water with admixture. After the casting of cubes, the next day the cubes were unmolded and taken to cured. The cubes were tested after 3 days, 7 days and 28 days using a universal testing machine. Reading of all cube testing is taken and compared which cubes having a higher strength. In this study, use of magnetic water increased the workability of concrete. Cubes containing magnetic water used for mixing and curing increased the compressive strength by 35–40% in 28 days compared to normal water cubes.

Over the past few years, there has been a notable surge in global plastic consumption, leading to the accumulation of substantial quantities of plastic waste. To tackle this issue, recycling plastic waste has emerged as a viable solution, with the potential to create new materials like concrete or mortar. This approach offers both economic and environmental advantages. Numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the performance of cement composites incorporating various forms of plastic waste as aggregate, filler, or fibre. This research paper explores the feasibility of using plastic waste as a substitute for environmentally friendly aggregates in concrete production. It investigates the mechanical and physical properties of concrete mixes containing different proportions of plastic waste as a replacement for traditional aggregates. Furthermore, the research demonstrates that utilizing plastic waste as an aggregate replacement can significantly reduce the demand for natural aggregates, thereby addressing the escalating problem of plastic waste management. The paper concludes that incorporating plastic waste as an alternative aggregate in concrete production can contribute to a more sustainable construction industry while effectively tackling the plastic waste issue. Moreover, this research has the potential to open up new avenues for the production of environmentally friendly concrete.

In the design of concrete mix, cement, fine aggregates, and coarse aggregates are using for a past long period of time that involve essential role in designing of a particular grade of concrete. But nowadays, there is a lack in coarse aggregates. So, some of alternate new materials which are chose based on locally available of low cost materials are introduced for partial replacing of coarse aggregates to obtain same strength as that of the basic materials. In this research work, the analysis of partial replacement of coarse aggregate with 0%,5%,10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, and 40% of broken tiles wastes with maximum size of 20 mm used in the production of M30 a water–cement ratio of 0.45 is used. Experimentally analysis is conducted on fresh concrete for workability and hardened concrete tests conducted like a compression test and split tensile to evaluate the concrete strength, at different stages of curing time periods of 7 and 28 days. The results obtained shows the water–cement ratio improves the workability of the concrete, with the addition of ceramic wastes broken tiles materials up to 30%, this concluded that partial replacement of ceramic tiles waste despite performance in concrete decreases with increasing of replacement of ceramic wastes broken tiles materials.

Concrete has become the most used material when compared to water in overall world. In current situation, many researchers focus on the alternate materials for aggregates. There are several materials used as substitute material for coarse aggregates (CA), for example, rubber, steel, plastic, recycled aggregates, and lightweight aggregates like pumice, artificial cinders, thermocole beads, etc. In order to reduce the usage of natural aggregate, this paper focused on the replacement of the CA by sustainable, natural lightweight aggregate and which is produced in an artificial manner called light-expanded clay aggregate (LECA). This light-expanded clay aggregate will reduce the usage of natural aggregate; it will reduce the self-weight of the structure, which is a good advantage while going for high-rise structures and earthquake resistance. Further, in this study, we have replaced LECA material as a substitute material for coarse aggregate at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%, respectively. The strength properties like compression, flexure, and tensile are taken, the results show good values, and by the results, it is suggested that 10% of replacement of CA to LECA shown the similar properties of natural concrete. It is recommended to use for non-structural members like paver block, brick, hollow block, etc.

Concrete technology advances are currently focused on gaining sustainable concrete alternatives to lessen reliance on natural resources. Recycled materials made from industrial waste and byproducts comprise many alternative materials utilized in green concrete. Due to the technological revolution, they are bringing Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM) to the civil engineering discipline, such as Alccofine and Sea Shell Powder, which are becoming increasingly popular in the building industry. This work looked at various research publications to develop a useful Alccofine and Sea Shell Power. This chapter aims to summarize and discuss the mechanical characteristics of arccosine and sea shell powder, particularly their compressive strength and other workability and durability characteristics. In the construction industry, SCM, or supplemental cementitious materials, can be used in place of cement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions linked to climate change. Finding sustainable alternatives for construction materials is the aim of this study. According to the numerous articles compiled, Alccofine 1203 can be used at the ideal dose between 8 and 10%, and the ideal amount of seashell powder serves as 30%, resulting in an average strength of 30 N/mm2. Utilizing this concrete reduces waste production and carbon emissions by reducing the requirement for Portland cement.

India is the second biggest producer and consumer of cement with the generation of 380–390 million tons in the FY 2023, it is expected to add 80 million tons of cement by the year 2024 due to expected demand in housing and infrastructure development. According to IBEF past five years data, it was estimated, approximately every year 2–3 million tons of cement produced is unused. The production of cement is highly carbon intensive, if such a huge amount of cement remains unused and disposed unscientifically may lead to environmental issues such as hindrance to ground water recharge, nondegradable landfills, obstructing surface run-off, etc. Several construction materials, viz, pavers, low strength and nonstructural concrete, nonload bearing masonry, etc., need not need more strength for construction. Thus, an attempt is made to utilize and evaluate the effect of unused old cement in construction materials like paver blocks and mud concrete blocks. Cement samples were characterized for its basic physical properties and the developed construction materials were subjected to microstructure analysis viz scanning electron microscopy technique. The compressive strength of developed Box-shaped paver blocks was evaluated. Initial rate of absorption, water absorption, density of blocks and strength parameters were assessed for mud concrete blocks. Results indicated a reduction in strength of concrete by more than 30% and 50% for 1-year and 2-year-old cement, respectively. Also, loss of ignition value was observed in cement due to ageing. Application of paver blocks was found to be feasible in light and nontraffic roads.

Annually around 100 MT of sand is expensed by metal casting industries across the world. This results in the generation of huge quantity of used sand often addresses as reclaimed foundry sand or waste foundry sand. This sand is disposed after multiple use. However, similar composition can be seen in disposed RFS and conventional sand. Currently, around 28% of disposed RFS are being used in building construction-related applications, while the rest of material is disposed as landfill, causing impacts on environment and ecological system. Due to lack of availability of Natural Sand, manufactured sand is produced from quarries and is widely used in construction as an alternative to river sand. With extensive mining of granite quarries, cost of M-sand is also escalating. These concerns of availability and cost of basic materials have led the direction towards utilization of recycled/ industrial waste materials. These alternate fine aggregates are silica enriched and inert exhibiting possibilities for partial to complete replacement to sand in making mortar or concrete. In this article, Reclaimed foundry sand (RFS) is used as alternative to conventional fine aggregate. Chemical, mineralogical properties of RFS is explored and compared with M Sand. Micro-structure investigation indicated silica concentration in RFS was of the order 72%. Properties of cementitious products made with partial replacement of M-sand by RFS are also investigated. Use of RFS as a substitute to M-Sand, limited to 20% and 40% in mortar and concrete respectively in comparable strength properties. Shear bond strength of masonry triplets was found ranging between 0.14 and 0.18 MPa for mortars made with 20% replacement of M-sand by RFS.

The amount of concrete being used worldwide is increasing, and it is predicted that this trend will continue in the years to come. This results in the depletion of natural aggregate resources. On the other hand, the usage of plastic in everyday life is rapidly increasing, which is a worldwide environmental issue. On the flip side, this is happening despite the rising concern for its impact on the natural environment. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating waste plastic in the preparation of cement tiles. Cement tiles are an important flooring option in construction because they provide a durable and long-lasting surface that can withstand high traffic and heavy loads. The experiment involved conducting compressive strength and water absorption tests on the cement tiles, which were produced by replacing a portion of the fine aggregate with waste plastic at varying percentages of 10, 20, and 30 while keeping the water–cement ratio constant. The results indicate that the use of waste plastic as a partial replacement for fine aggregate significantly improves the compressive strength and reduces the water absorption of the cement tiles. The study finds that incorporating 10% waste plastic in cement tile production resulted in optimal properties. The use of waste plastic as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in cement tile production can be a sustainable solution for managing waste plastic while improving the properties of the final product.

Self-cleaning concrete, with its ability to remove pollutants and maintain a clean appearance, has gained significant attention in the construction industry. One promising approach to achieving self-cleaning properties is through the incorporation of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles into the concrete matrix. This article presents a comprehensive analysis of self-cleaning concrete using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Self-cleaning concrete, known for its ability to remove pollutants and maintain a clean surface, has gained significant attention in the construction industry. XRD analysis provides insights into the crystallographic properties of the material, revealing the composition and structure of self-cleaning concrete. The obtained XRD data shows distinct peaks representing crystalline phases present in the concrete, with peak positions and intensities providing information on phase distribution. SEM analysis complements the XRD findings by offering detailed images of the concrete's surface morphology. The microscopic observations reveal the presence of nanostructured hydrophobic coatings on the concrete's surface, contributing to its self-cleaning properties. The combination of XRD and SEM analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the crystalline composition and surface characteristics of self-cleaning concrete. The results highlight the effectiveness of XRD in identifying crystalline phases and SEM in visualizing the surface features. This knowledge is crucial for optimizing the formulation and performance of self-cleaning concrete materials in practical applications. Overall, this study emphasizes the significance of employing multiple analytical techniques to comprehensively investigate the properties of self-cleaning concrete and pave the way for the development of advanced construction materials with enhanced self-cleaning capabilities.

In recent few decades, global climate change become catastrophe and this problem is rising day by day. Out of many sectors, the construction sector is alone responsible for at least 10% for total emission of carbon into the atmosphere. To provide the durability, strength, versatility during any construction work concrete is must. This literature review mainly focus on performance of cementation material along with the Graphene oxide. The principle material which affects the concrete most is cement.thus in response to growing more sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide like greenhouse gases the research community started finding innovative alternative for cement composite with greener material and also considering significant improvement of concrete properties. In recent times new material is taken into consideration for partial replacement of cement and that material is known as Graphene. The research for this study commenced with an in-depth review of trust- worthy publications, papers, books, entities, and current studies on cement-based concrete using graphene oxide (GO). To find the best way to improve overall performance so that the construction industry could design buildings or any structure with the best quality of basic material, a statistical summary of the prior researches and a detailed discussion added to this review in regards to workability, durability, mechanical properties, and microstructural properties.

In a lot of countries, including India, the issue of demolition and building waste is an important issue for the environment. The misguided C&D waste disposal might contaminate the atmosphere, the soil, and water bodies as well as contribute to the depletion of natural resources. Every year demand of conventional aggregate increases at a rate of 6.2%. To address these problems, various countries have implemented recycling practices for construction and demolition waste. Recycling construction waste can help lessen the negative effect on the surrounding environment by reusing materials and minimizing the need for extracting and producing new resources. This research paper study is based on recycling of construction waste to reduce stress on environment. The primary aim of studying different properties of recycled concrete aggregate and performing various tests is to analyse its properties. Relating recycled aggregate concrete to conventional aggregate concrete, the strength obtained is 10–15% lower. Research studies on recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) focus on assessing its properties to ensure its suitability for various applications. Some of the properties that are typically evaluated include compressive strength, water absorption, density, abrasion resistance, and durability. These tests help determine the quality and performance of RCA and compare it to conventional aggregates. Studies showed conventional aggregate can be replaced up to 30–50% by recycled aggregate. This approach not only reduces the environmental impact but also offers potential cost savings, as recycled aggregates are often less expensive than conventional aggregates.

Nowadays, the bio-cementation process is widely used in the field of civil engineering. It is acknowledged as a green choice to use bio-cementation as a bonding agent in building materials. Calcium carbonate for use in construction is produced by the bio-cementation process using microorganisms. The bio-cementation technique creates a binding in building materials based on a process called microbial-induced CaCO3 precipitation (MICCP). MICCP is catalysed through cementation and hydrolysis of NH2COOH (urea). By using urease enzyme, ureolytic bacteria produce precipitated CaCO3. Calcium ions and carbon dioxide from urea combine to generate calcium carbonate. Bio-cementation process will also help to enhance the compressive strength by reducing water permeability. Bio-cementation is proved to be an eco-friendly technology in the various fields of engineering. An attempt was made to use the coconut shells (CS) as coarse aggregate (CA) in concrete. The effect of bio-cementation process on bio-inspired lightweight concrete was observed. The considerable increment in the mechanical properties was found when compared to normal concrete.

The present study is based on the engineering properties of cement mortar grout using fly ash and stone dust. Fly ash (FA) and stone dust (SD) are the by-products of power plant and stone crusher, respectively; these materials are used as a partial cement replacement in the conventional cement mortar grout. FA and SD up to 40% partial replacement and by keeping 10% lime have a constant replacement and 10% lime is used as an additive of FA and SD to improve the binding properties for constant water–cement (w/c) ratio 0.32 carried out in the study. The workability and strength properties are identified and compared with conventional cement mortar grout. The obtained results showed a higher compressive strength of FA at 80 and 70% which are 26.13 and 24.29 N/mm2, respectively, and for SD at 90 and 70% which are 17.76 and 15.11 N/mm2, respectively. By the end of the experiment, FA and SD are proved as a replacement material for cement. Hence, it can be recommended as a grouting material for the construction of composite pavement.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas emissions from the cement manufacturing process have a harmful effect on the surroundings. The building sectors are looking for alternatives to cementitious material that can lower construction costs and reduce the effect of cement production on the surroundings. Concrete made with waste products as a cementitious material uses less cement, which lowers overall building costs and reduces CO2 emission. This study’s goal was to determine whether SF and ESP could substitute cement in the manufacturing of concrete. Cement was substituted by utilizing four percentages of eggshell powder (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%), blended with four percentages of silica fume (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) by weight of cement. In this investigation, the M40 grade of concrete was utilized. The workability, compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption, and UPV test of eggshell- and silica fume-based concrete were analyzed. The outcomes showed that as the SF and ESP content rose, concrete’s workability declined. ‘Good’ quality concrete was indicated by the UPV test. Furthermore, the inclusion of ESP and SF in concrete enhances the material’s compressive and flexural strength. Also, it was discovered that the highest mechanical strength properties were achieved by mixing 5% ESP with 10% SF in cement and as the content of waste material increases, the mechanical strength decreases.

Fly ash cenospheres (FAC) are a by-product of thermal power plant coal combustion products. It is lightweight, hollow spheres composed primarily of silica and alumina, with a trace of other elements. FAC can help with sustainability in a variety of ways, such as conservation of resources, light-weight materials for construction, waste reduction, increased product performance, and lower carbon emissions. As a result, in order to fully benefit from FAC, it is required to investigate an ecological approach. The FAC’s shells are porous by nature and are sealed by a thin layer of glazed-crystalline film. By chemically removing this coating, the small openings on the outer covering can be disclosed, perforating the FAC and allowing pathways for water to propagate into the inner cavity of FAC. The use of FAC as an internal curing ingredient for partially substituting cement in cement mortar has been investigated in this study. Two types of cement mortar specimens with the same dimensions, 50 mm × 50 mm × 50 mm, were cast by using perforated fly ash cenospheres (PFAC) and FAC as cement replacement up to 25% by the weight of cement. Both types of FAC specimens were cured under sealed curing. The specimens were tested for reduction in density, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and compressive strength.

Over-mining of natural resources by the cement manufacturing industries to meet the demand–supply chain has led to erratic concretization across the planet earth. This in turn has adversely resulted in fast-growing resource depletion and human-made toxic gas release into the atmosphere. Also, the ginormous quantum of industrial wastes viz. fly-ash and slag, discharged by Thermal Power Plants (TPP), Steel Manufacturing Companies poses a dumping threat of polluting surface, and sub-surface water, and also the constraint of the limited disposal area. Extensive research is carried out to maximize the partial substitution of pure Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) with Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs). However, such replacement dwindles the overall performance of resultant cement and mainly a reduction in strength gain. It is obviously believed that the properties such as microstructure, packing density, chemical activation, the heat of hydration, water demand, sets, water absorption, permeability, workability, durability, and strength of any cement and its paste, mortar, and concrete are administered predominantly by the chemical composition of all pertinent raw materials and the average size was considered rather than the distribution of particle sizes in the given cement matrix. This paper articulates the performance influenced by the particle size distribution of Composite Cement comprising Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Stimulator (S), Fly-ash (FA), and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) trialed on certain key mechanical properties. The experimental results determined boosted strength gain at early as well as later curing ages with an improved physio-mechanical property of the resulting binder. This has further resulted in a drastic reduction in anthropogenic gas emissions. OPC with fly-ash and slag up to 60% combined substitution has taken the construction industry toward achieving its sustainability. Test results with modified PSD have shown an improvement in the high early strength when compared to conventional methods.

It is well known that cement is the most expensive component of concrete. The entire construction sector is looking for an appropriate and efficient waste product that would significantly reduce the consumption of cement, as a result—lower the cost of establishments. This work converses about the various properties of concrete using cotton plant stalk ash (CPSA) as a tendentious replacement for regular Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Works on the utilization of agricultural wastes in concrete play a prominent role in the construction industry. To preserve the environment, CPSA can be partially replaced with cement. Utilizing CPSA in concrete as a cement replacement enhances concrete performance. Also, it's an effort to help sustainability by utilizing the solid waste produced in the agriculture sector. In this paper, brief review of the properties of CPSA-based concrete was examined and discussed, from the various results its evident aforesaid optimum incorporation of CPSA ameliorate the qualities of concrete.

The high carbon footprint of cement urges to explore the pozzolanic potential of ashes obtained after burning of agricultural residues in cogeneration plants. Uncontrolled combustion produces Rice Husk Ash (RHA) containing high unburnt carbon which acts as a stumbling block in its utilisation as a binary binder in cement. In this regard, RHA was obtained by controlled burning of rice husks in an industry set up. Further, thermo-mechanical beneficiation of the obtained RHA was done in order to make it compliant with the Indian and American codal guidelines. Physical, chemical and mineralogical characterisation of both the as-received and the beneficiated RHAs was performed. The results indicate that re-burning of RHA in the temperature range of 600–700 ºC can be performed to reduce Loss-On-Ignition (LOI) below 5% without compromising the amorphous mineralogy of ash. Further, pozzolanic reactivity of the thermo-mechanically beneficiated RHA exhibited higher value compared to the pozzolanic reactivity of as-received RHA.

Several agricultural products are discarded as waste every year. Utilization of this waste becomes a socio-economic solution for agricultural waste disposal. Because of the pozzolanic properties shown by these waste materials, it took considerable benefit of employing them as a replacement for cement in concrete and mortars. Both normal-strength and high-strength concrete are manufactured by incorporating various agriculture based pozzolanic materials, majorly it includes rice husk, wheat straw, corn cob, and sugarcane bagasse ash etc., The implementation of pre-treatment methods before combustion greatly enhances the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of pozzolanic materials. Acid treatment becomes the most satisfactory pre-treatment method for agriculture based pozzolanic materials. Electrical conductivity and Chapelle activity are two examples of direct and indirect methods that can be used to access pozzolanic activity. It is possible to create structurally good concrete by understanding the pozzolanic activity and hydration process of cement with pozzolanic material.

Cement is used for most of the construction work in the world. The consumption of cement needs to be reduced. Cement can be replaced with additional cementitious materials such as agricultural and industrial wastes such as fly ash, GGBS, Corncob Ash, Wheat straw Ash, etc., to reduce cost of construction. In this present study, Corncob Ash (CCA) is used as replacement for cement at various percentages. Compressive Strength of M20 grade concrete is tested for various percentages of Untreated CCA and Treated CCA of 5, 10, 15 and 20% by weight of cement is replaced and the results are compared with the conventional concrete. Test results obtained at 28 days show that treated corncob ash replacement at 5–10% of replacement has better compressive strength compared to untreated corncob ash and conventional concrete. The optimum strength value of 29.74 MPa occurs at 10% replacement of treated CCA. The use of treated corncob ash in concrete proves to be economical compared to conventional concrete.

Geopolymer concrete is a sustainable, economical, environmentally friendly, durable, and high-strength concrete. Geopolymer is the term given to the compounds that result when materials are combined under alkaline conditions. Due to the high content of silica and alumina, the pozzolanic material can be used as a binder for GPC. The purpose of this study is to validate its sustainability, environment friendly, based on the mechanical properties of GPC and PPC. In an experimental study, the M40 Formulation Design will analyze the mechanical properties of GPC and PPC concrete, and analyze the sustainability of concrete. Experimental investigations have shown that the compressive strength of GPC concrete and PPC concrete showed similar trends in 28-day strength. GPC uses solid industrial waste, such as fly ash and slag, as a binder, and is activated by an alkaline solution containing NaOH and Na2SiO3 in the design mixture. Therefore, GPC has a lower volumetric energy compared to conventional concrete.

Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) has a predominant role as a binding material in the field of construction. Its production liberates enormous quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere which tends to increment in levels of greenhouse gases and hence contributes to global warming. Further, the rapid growth of industries to meet the necessities has a major impact on the generation of quantities of waste byproducts. In order to decline these environmental footprints, many researchers employed waste byproducts as an alternative material to cement and other natural/raw materials. Many studies employed different waste byproducts lonely in the production of geopolymer concrete (GPC) and reported different success rates. However, a combination of different waste byproducts may offer better results and their relative studies are comparatively less. To address the same, the current study evaluates the performance of self-compacting GPC made from fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), and alkali activators. The test results revealed that the strength characteristics tend to decline with the increase in FA contents. The maximum compressive and split tensile strength of 55.1 and 5 MPa, respectively, were obtained at optimum contents of 10 M NaOH, 50% FA, and GGBFS with a curing period of 28 days. Hence the measured values are a little lower than the OPC values, and this optimum content can be employed as a replacement for conventional concrete in general construction activities. Such kinds of studies are in need of hours to comprehend the better utility of multiple waste byproducts in the production of effective GPC mixes.

Sustainable development is a crucial aspect of any industry, especially in developing countries where the management of solid waste is a significant challenge. The introduction of Geopolymer Concrete (GPC) has paved the way for sustainable development in this sector. GPC replaces cement with fly ash, an industrial waste product from thermal power plants. This process not only reduces waste but also significantly lowers CO2 emissions. While the use of fly ash in GPC has proven to be effective, there are limitations due to the need for steam or thermal curing to achieve rapid strength development. The incorporation of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) has further improved the sustainability of GPC. This addition allows for ambient curing and strength development, reducing energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, using another waste material, such as iron ore tailings, as a replacement for fine aggregate in GPC production demonstrates the potential for sustainable development. This approach reduces waste and creates a circular economy by repurposing a waste product. Thus, the introduction of GPC, the incorporation of industrial waste products, and the use of waste materials as replacements for traditional construction materials are all significant steps toward achieving sustainable development in the construction industry, which is dealt with in this paper, especially with the feasibility of introduction of iron ore tailings into GPC.

Geopolymer materials have improved physical and chemical properties when adequately ground. A small hammer crusher was designed that crushes stones to produce very high surface areas required for optimised strength development in their dry state. The maximum feed size, moisture, blade clearances, blade numbers and blade speed were identified as key variables. Fineness of the output was measured for various crushing speeds and sieve sizes. Residues of the milled product were measured using a 90-micron sieve. The dry grinding method was found to be 45% more efficient than the wet method. It was also observed that it requires less energy that the wet process. Overall research findings indicate that it is economic for both small-scale and large-scale grinding for optimised particle size reduction of raw materials used in the manufacture of geopolymer cements.

Green cement concrete is an environmentally friendly variant of concrete manufactured using industrial waste. This sort of concrete has the potential to have a lower environmental impact than traditional concrete production while also providing a more durable and cost-effective alternative. This article offers experimental work on using industrial waste in green cement concrete, which is advantageous because it minimizes the amount of garbage transported to landfills along with dry geopolymer. According to this study's findings, industrial waste can lower production costs because it is typically less expensive than traditional resources and the amount of energy required to manufacture concrete because it is often lighter than conventional materials. Dry geopolymer is a substance formed from silica, alumina, and calcium. Because of its excellent resistance to water and other factors, this material is ideal for use in green cement concrete. Furthermore, dry geopolymer green concrete is lighter than regular concrete, lowering the energy required to manufacture the concrete. Green cement concrete made from industrial waste and dry geopolymer is an excellent way to reduce the environmental impact of traditional concrete production. It is also more durable and less expensive than typical concrete, making it a perfect solution for various construction applications.

The present study conducted a preliminary investigation on the effects of incorporating silica fume (SF) into fly ash-based geopolymer concrete with the aim of improving its characteristics. The incorporation of SF into concrete is a common practice aimed at improving its mechanical properties, durability, and resistance to environmental degradation. An analysis was conducted on various mixtures of geopolymer concrete with varying amounts of SF. The incorporation of SF has been observed to enhance the fresh, hardened, and microstructural properties of geopolymer concrete. The study confirmed the efficacy of SF as a viable additive for enhancing the performance of geopolymer concrete. This improvement can be attributed to an increase in microstructure density and a reduction in porosity. The research provides evidence to the concept that the incorporation of SF in geopolymer concrete has the potential to enhance its efficacy and sustainability over an extended period, thereby rendering it more environmentally sound. The findings of this study can be employed to enhance the utilisation of SF in geopolymer concrete and aid in the advancement of eco-friendly construction materials, which could potentially mitigate the ecological footprint of the construction sector.

One-part geopolymer concrete is an advancement over the conventional two-part geopolymer concrete. In this study, a geopolymeric binder was prepared in powder form containing slag as a precursor material, and sodium silicate and sodium carbonate as alkaline materials. Characterization of the developed binder was done with the help of a laser particle size analyzer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of heat curing and ambient curing was investigated in order to achieve target compressive strength in cement mortar. Results of this investigation revealed that mortar prepared from a one-part geopolymeric binder containing 90% slag and 10% alkaline material achieved more than 20 MPa 28-day compressive strength, which is significant for its utilization as bricks.

Increasing the bearing capacity of concrete as well as improving some mechanical properties in concrete such as resistance to impact, reducing cracks, increasing tensile strength, and increasing the lifetime of use of concrete with different fibers such as Dramix steel fiber, glass fiber, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, and so on is one way of reaching these goals. Usually, Dramix steel fibers are made at the factory and added to concrete to make steel fiber concrete. In this paper, the study used steel wires instead of Dramix steel fibers to investigate at the mechanical characteristics of steel wires concrete. The percentage of steel wire included in the concrete varied from 0 to 3% in lengths of 30 mm, 40 mm, and 50 mm. The lengths were measured in millimeters. According to the results of the experiments, the optimal combination of steel wire length and percentage is 30 mm long fibers with a steel wire percentage of two percent. The compressive strength of the material being tested increased significantly, increasing from 27.83 MPa to 32.8 MPa as a result of this change in length as well as quantity.

Durability is one of the primary factors influencing the serviceability of a concrete structure. Out of which, the control of water penetration in concrete has become a challenge in the field of civil engineering. To increase the durability of concrete, numerous techniques have been developed to prevent water from penetrating it. In this study, nanotechnology has been utilized to determine the various possibilities of incorporating an additive into cement in order to produce a ready-mixed cement concrete that reduces water penetration once it has solidified. At various ages of concrete, various strength and durability-related physical parameters were evaluated. (i.e., three days, seven days, and twenty-eight days) with various proportions of additives, admixture, cement, FA, and CA. The efficacy of a reduction in water penetration using Nitobond SBR Latex monomer in concrete has been determined by plotting the test results on graphs. Comparing the concrete to conventional, OPC cement concrete allowed researchers to examine the efficiency and necessity of curing. The graphical representation of strength for both conventional concrete and waterproofed cement concrete reveals that the cube with 1.25% monomer has a higher resistance to water penetration, while @ 0.75% monomer (Optimum dosage), the resistance to water penetration is 6% less than the maximum value.

This study’s main objective was to assess a newly built magnetorheological hammer for use in core and ultrasonic probe velocimetry (UPV) testing to determine the compressive strength of RC. By reusing or recycling existing materials, reinforced concrete has been found to reduce building costs and have a smaller negative impact on the environment. On the other hand, well-established techniques for determining material strength without breaking it include magnetorheological hammer and core testing. This study set out to determine the compressive strength of RC using the suggested methodology and compare the results to those attained using 150 mm core specimens. To do this, three different types of concrete were created. The OPC, river sand, and natural aggregate (crushed granite) were used to make concrete. These concrete mixtures, which contained aggregates no larger than 20 mm, were poured in order to evaluate a newly designed magnetorheological design using UPV, core, and hammer methods. Using this multi-faceted strategy, correlations between UPV, core testing, and magnetorheological (MR) hammer were also obtained. These results are more encouraging than those from the rebound hammer test, which showed that it was impossible to anticipate with any degree of accuracy the compressive strength of the RC.

Structural behavior and strength properties of high strength concrete (HSC) made with fresh and seawater are examined in the current work. As per the codal provision, seawater is not recommended for mixing of concrete as the high concentration of chloride in seawater causes steel to corrode. Additionally, global issues due to freshwater scarcity imply that using seawater in a concrete mix will be important in the future. In OPC-based concrete, metakaolin (MK) and rice husk ash (RHA) are used as cement substitutes to reduce CO2 emissions during the calcination of cementitious materials and to improve its mechanical properties. HSC of binary and ternary blended concrete mixes were prepared with fresh and seawater. The strength characteristics such as compressive strength, bond strength, and rupture modulus were investigated for various curing periods. Based on the experimental results, combination of 10% RHA and 10% MK (ternary blend) used in freshwater and seawater mix has improved performance than control mix. Also, ternary blended freshwater mix showed improved ultimate load-carrying capacity than seawater and control concrete.

Plastic garbage is produced in massive quantities all around the world. Plastic trash has been successfully used in concrete in recent years. The purpose of this research is to look at the impact of residual plastic waste (PW) powder as a substitute for coarse and fine particles on the fresh and mechanical characteristics of concrete. The research also investigates the water penetration depth for control and residual powder concrete mix. Seven test specimens were created by adjusting the plastic waste powder by weight of fine and coarse aggregates in 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%, respectively. The compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength of the specimens are measured after 7 and 28 days of curing. The test results show that the presence of leftover plastic waste powder reduces strength characteristics, with the rate of strength reduction being faster for coarse aggregate replacement. 5% fine aggregate replacement, on the other hand, produces comparable results. Furthermore, the water penetration depth for 5% fine aggregate replacement falls within the allowable limitations specified by IS 516: Part II/Sec 1 (2018) and DIN 1048: 5 (1991). As a result, using plastic powder up to 5% fine aggregate substitution offers the best results. The current experiment ensures that the inclusion of PW powder in the concrete mix provides a favorable approach to generating cost-effective materials while also controlling the solid waste concerns produced by plastic to some extent.

The materials and technology used in the production of railway sleepers have advanced from conventional wooden sleepers to composite sleepers. The strength, service life, and durability of sleepers are always the major concern when placed on the tracks. Though many measures were being taken, the service life and durability are still the limitations with the sleepers. This paper presents a comprehensive review of types of railway sleepers used, their advantages, limitations, and latest technologies adopted during production. It is learnt that the conventional sleepers used to suffer from problems like fungal decay, rail-seat abrasion, and high degree of wear and tear which increase their operational and maintenance cost. The alternative materials and technologies used in the manufacture of railway sleepers across the world to improve its durability was reviewed critically. The laboratory and field studies reveal that the use of fibers, mineral admixture, pre-stressing technologies, and composite materials show better prospects in the design life and serviceability. Fly-ash-based sleepers have turned out to be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional sleepers. Composite sleepers with glass fiber polymers used in longitudinal and transverse directions have improved the flexural and shear carrying capacities of the sleepers. Basalt polymers fibers and basalt fibers as pre-stressing material can be viewed as a cost-effective alternative, to improve the durability of concrete sleepers.

This paper investigates the influence of using nano-zirconia and RHA used as a partial replacement of cement and sand in mortar, respectively. In the investigation, the water absorption percentage, ultrasonic pulse velocity, the effect on mortar after heating at various temperatures, SEM, were recorded. The use of sand in construction is increasing day by day. So, this is necessary to find a better alternative to sand. When RHA is burnt at a controlled temperature of 600 °C, the RHA shows similar properties to sand (Selvaranjan et al. in Development of sustainable mortar using waste rice husk ash from rice mill plant: Physical and thermal properties, 2021). The specific gravity of RHA is similar to the sand. Zirconium oxide is the powder form of zirconium metal. It has a high melting point. The zirconia was added in different percentages (1–5%) in the mortar and RHA was added as a replacement for sand (10–50%). All specimens are in the ratio of 1:3 (cement: sand). The optimum value of both the new materials added was found by checking their compressive strength. Both optimum values were combined in one mortar and then found new mortar that is 3% of zirconia and 50% RHA was added. The results reveal that the water absorption percentage is decreasing when zirconia is added and when RHA is added the water absorption percentage is less but increases gradually as compared to the normal mortar. The compressive strength is high at 3% zirconia mortar, i.e. 36.26 MPa and 50% CBRHA mortar, i.e. 30.76 MPa at 28 days. The ultrasonic pulse velocity test results reveal that after adding zirconia and RHA, and it improves the quality of mortar. The highest ultrasonic pulse velocity is recorded at 3% ZrO2 and 50% RHA, i.e. 4.6 km/s and 6.28 km/s, respectively, at 28 days. The maximum temperature combined mortar can bear is recorded as 400 °C and after heating the weight loss percentage is 18%.

Durability of the concrete is its ability to resist weathering, chemical attack, and abrasion without reduction in strength for the entire lifespan for which it is designed. It depends upon the environmental factors and the working conditions such as site conditions and workmanship. Durability is affected by various factors such as quantity of cement content used, water: binder ratio. It is of paramount importance, since it is required throughout its service life and decides the age of the concrete structure. Turning a blind eye toward the durability aspect results in high costs involved in repairs and modification of concrete structures. Ingress of chloride ions in concrete affects the durability of concrete structures. Chloride ion migration is dependent on the permeability of concrete. This results in corrosion of steel reinforcement used. The corrosion products which are formed take up extra space in the concrete medium resulting in spalling, cracking and ultimately failure of the concrete. The RCPT test is conducted as per ASTM C 1202 and the RCMT test is conducted as per NT BUILD 492. In the present study, a comparison of RCPT and RCMT tests and their relevance and usefulness in evaluating the durability properties of concrete is presented and both the tests will be compared.

Concrete, a prime material used in civil construction because of its high compressive strength, suffers a disadvantage as it is attacked by chloride, sulphate, etc. In this paper, an attempt is made to overcome these problems as well as to reduce the environmental damage in the production of cement by replacing cement to the extent possible with agricultural waste bagasse ash. Detailed experimental studies are conducted with various levels of replacement of cement in concrete with sugarcane bagasse ash designed for M25 grade. While the strength of concrete has been maximum with 5% of bagasse ash, up to 15% of bagasse can be used to meet the targeted strength. Conventional concrete is attacked in aggressive environment mainly due to presence of excess lime liberated in the hydration of cementitious phases of Portland cement. Bagasse ash which contains reactive silica can very well advantageously use this lime to produce more cementitious compounds as well as to reduce excess lime to enhance durability of these compounds. The results have shown that not only the compressive strength increases but also the tensile strength and in fact the per cent increase in tensile strength is more than the increase in compressive strength. Concrete with bagasse ash has lower water permeability than concrete without bagasse ash which helped to penetrate of harmful effects of chloride, sulphate, and alkali leading to much lesser effects of concrete in their presence. However, the effects of sulphate and alkali are not completely eliminated with cement replacement with 15% bagasse ash but the adverse effects are lower than in conventional concrete. Differences are seen during drying shrinkage in presence of these chemicals compared to concrete with normal water which are explained by microstructural changes. Thus, from the durability point of view, 15% cement can be replaced with bagasse ash used.

The properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) made from recycled coarse aggregate and cement binder alternatives, including fly ash and sepiolite powder, are the focus of this experimental investigation. Ternary blended SCC mixes are made in a variety of configurations according to IS 10262-2019 and EFNARC specifications. Various tests, including the V-funnel, L-box test, J-ring, and slump flow, were performed to examine the new properties. To evaluate the SCC's mechanical qualities, a compressive strength test was performed, and the material's resistance to carbonation and sulphate-chloride was measured. The results show that the workability required by EFNARC can be achieved by adding sepiolite and increasing the fly ash content in the SCC. Up to a particular level of replacement (10% sepiolite and 20% recycled aggregate), the mechanical parameters of ternary blended SCC were superior to those of the control SCC. When cement is swapped out with sepiolite powder, SCC has improved durability. Carbonation depth was shown to increase as there were higher replacement amounts of sepiolite powder and the corresponding recycled aggregates. The sulphate and chloride resistance of SCC was also significantly aided by the incorporation of up to 15% sepiolite and 30% recycled aggregates.

Considering global warming issues in the environment, nearby a rapid growth in research and innovation in the natural fibre composite area. The natural fibre composites have major advantages over the synthetic-based fibres. Beside the low cost and the light weight, bio-based polymer composites (natural Fibres) gained more attention due to their renewability and biodegradability. The natural strands, for example, coir fibre, palm fibre, kenaf fibre, jute fibre, sisal fibre, banana fibre, pine fibre, sugarcane fibre bamboo fibre, and so on. The present study investigates the influence of jute fibres and coir fibres on concrete by varying mix proportions by partial replacement in cement. The experimental work on concrete was conducted by varying the mix proportions of fibres in concrete by partial replacement in cement. The strength properties of concrete were executed and the results are tabulated. The test is performed for various mix proportions and are tabulated. The comparison of the results is done with the normal concrete. The recent inventions say, the use of natural fibres in concrete or partial replacement in cement has a distinct advantage over the synthetic fibres. Because of its vast effect on the concrete, the natural fibres especially jute fibre can be used for any structural purpose.

In engineering terminology, bendable concrete refers to engineered cementitious composite (ECC), also called strain hardening cement-based composite (SHCC). Crack width control is tight in ECC, which is typically brittle. This composite is easy to mold due to its mortar-based composition. By using natural and artificial fibers such as PVA fiber, steel fiber, and jute fiber, bendable concrete can be made more durable and produce narrow crack widths, as opposed to conventional concrete. The primary aim of this research is to assess the physical characteristics of bendable concrete reinforcement made from M30 mix design with a variety of fiber types, including PVA Jute and Recron 3S fiber. These physical properties include split tensile strength, compression strength, flexural strength test, and ductility. A number of bendable concrete mixtures were created using varying fiber proportions and evaluated for their effectiveness. A fiber-based concrete additive, PVA fibers, have the ability to absorb moisture and expand, which enhances their bond with cement and can enhance concrete's durability and crack resistance. According to the observations, fibers added to concrete improve its ductility and flexural strength. As a result of this study, bendable concrete has the potential to benefit construction in many ways, especially in terms of durability, sustainability, crack resistance, and earthquake resistance. As well as fibers and fly ash can also be used for the production of an environmentally friendly construction material. Moreover, the high-performance construction materials selection process included comparing the cost of different concrete materials.

In recent years, gigantic structures like multi-story buildings, dams, bridges, and nuclear plants are constructed with high-strength concrete. However, concrete is brittle and has a lower tensile strength. When exposed to high temperatures, concrete loses some of its mechanical properties. Fibers were added to the concrete to lessen brittleness and enhance these mechanical properties at high temperatures. Natural sand is scarce and has negative environmental effects when it is taken out of riverbeds and other sources. To address these issues, researchers have looked into alternatives like manufactured sand (M-sand). To ensure long-lasting and sustainable constructions, improving the mechanical qualities of concrete has also been a priority. In this study, the performance of concrete was examined after addition of steel fibers and MS and are added in place of natural sand. In this work M75 grade concrete was used. Various amounts of M-sand (0, 25, 50, and 75%) was used in place of natural sand. From this study concluded that M-sand is particularly cost-effective when utilized to achieve increased strength and replacing 50% of M-sand results in greater strength. The tensile strength of concrete is also increased by the insertion of steel fibers.

The construction industry has a significant impact on both the environment and human well-being. However, the use of conventional construction materials has led to unfavorable outcomes, including environmental contamination, depletion of resources, and elevated energy consumption. Consequently, there is a growing need for sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional building materials. Compressed stabilized Earth blocks (CSEBs) have emerged as a potential solution to this problem, being both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. An experimental investigation was carried out to evaluate the capability of CSEBs. The study analyzed four variations of CSEBs, including conventional CSEBs, CSEBs with coconut fiber, CSEBs with eggshell powder (ESP), and CSEBs with both coconut fiber and ESP. The research focused on compressive strength, water absorption, and durability of CSEBs, comparing their performance with each other. The study concluded that the incorporation of coconut fiber and ESP enhanced the performance of CSEBs, leading to higher strength, reduced water absorption, and greater durability. Furthermore, using CSEBs with coconut fiber and ESP can significantly reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable development. The findings of this research can provide valuable insights for architects, engineers, and policymakers seeking to use eco-friendly building materials for construction projects.

The present study investigates the performance of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) reinforced with hooked-end steel fibers at elevated temperatures. The amount of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is taken as 50% of the total coarse aggregate content and the steel fibers are added by 1% of total concrete’s volume. For comparison purpose, a controlled mix containing 100% natural aggregates and 1% steel fibers is made. The mechanical properties, that is, compressive strength and split-tensile strength of each concrete mix are examined after subjecting the concrete specimens to ambient as well as elevated temperatures. A relationship is developed between the split-tensile strength and compressive strength. The microstructure of specimens exposed to different temperatures is investigated using scanning electron microscopic (SEM) technique. It is found that both mechanical and microstructural properties of each concrete mix deteriorate with the rise in temperature.

Safety on construction sites is an important part of a building worker’s ethical standards. It’s important to take specific steps to make sure workers are safe at all times, from the planning stage to the construction process. Labor safety in the construction of works means simply finding ways to avoid and deal with things that could harm the health or life of people who work in the construction field. There are always risks when building something. So, both employees and employers need to arm themselves with basic information to protect their health and assets. The government gives the investor the job of being responsible for worker safety on the works in front of the government. Safety rules must be followed by everyone working on the project. This paper talks about some of safety problems on construction sites and suggests ways to fix them to make construction sites safer and reduce the number of accidents that happen on the job.

The plan for the schedule is a structure that may be relied on for some aspects of project planning, scheduling, monitoring, and management. The tasks, work packages, and work elements that make up a schedule are all dependent on one another, and the schedules also indicate when particular individuals need to be ready to complete certain work. In addition to this, it helps to verify that departments and divisions are communicating effectively with one another, which is necessary for determining how long it will take to finish the project. The plan for the timetable specifies key tasks that, if delayed, would cause the duration of the project to increase, as well as free-time activities that may be postponed for a certain amount of time without causing any damage impact the timeline of the project, or activities with surplus resources may be able to temporarily coordinate the operations of other tasks. In addition to this, it helps identify when work can begin or when it absolutely needs to be started in order to keep the project on time. The planning and management of the project implementation schedule are not rigorous and scientific, which leads to long-term drag. This is currently the most pressing problem, but there are still a few other pressing difficulties as well. One of the most significant problems is that the benefits of the project implementation schedule are being delayed. A protracted period of implementation produces a pooling of money in investment. The current state of construction project implementation in the Mekong Delta is presented by the author in this article. This paper provides a basis for further studies to be conducted in order to discover answers to the problems that are presented.

The present study undertakes a thorough examination of delay analysis techniques employed in the construction sector, taking into account their impact on project timelines and financial resources. Numerous studies have been carried out by scholars on the topic of delay analysis techniques. The purpose of this research is to determine the techniques that have made the most important contributions to the development of the delay domain within the construction industry with regard to delay studies conducted all over the globe. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science database with predetermined keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria. As a result, 18 techniques to delay analyses were found between the years 1985 and 2022. According to the findings of this review article, there is currently no standard technique for evaluating delay claims. In addition, this attempt revealed that the day by day approach fulfils all of the necessary requirements, but the other strategies fall short in some areas.

The complexity of construction projects has increased significantly, leading to difficulties in their management. To address this, Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as an integrated process that is widely adopted in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. BIM allows for the modeling and analysis of both design and construction aspects of a building in an integrated manner, thereby minimizing changes during the construction phase. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive literature review and identify research gaps in integrated design-construction planning, while also developing a 3D model of multiple domains of a construction project. Furthermore, the study aims to perform structural analysis of the 3D model, resolve any clashes that arise from multiple domains, and generate a 4D scheduling and 5D costing model for an economically feasible project. The chosen case study is a commercial office building, for which different 3D models were developed using Revit software. Structural analysis was performed using Staad Pro software, and clashes were identified and resolved using Naviswork software. The final clash-free integrated model was used to estimate accurate 4D scheduling and 5D costing of the project in a 3D environment. The study highlights the significance of BIM in minimizing redesigns in projects by enabling the resolution of all issues visually in the design phase. Structural analysis was performed for all 3D models in an integrated manner, demonstrating the effectiveness of BIM in this regard. The proposed methodology focuses on the modeling and analysis of both design and construction aspects of a building in an integrated manner using BIM, which minimizes changes during the construction phase. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of BIM in reducing redesigns in projects by enabling the resolution of all issues visually in the design phase.