Journal of Ceramics and Concrete Sciences (e-ISSN: 2582-1938) (p-ISSN: 3049-0626)

Experimental Investigation on Concrete in Which Cement is Replaced with Coffee Husk Ash

2025-12-31T12:26:00+00:00

Industrialization and urbanization are driving up the need for concrete, the most common construction material in the world. At this time, most studies are devoted to finding better ways to put agricultural waste by-products to use. There is hope that home builders would be incentivized to utilize coffee husk ash (CHA) instead of regular cement. This research is being conducted with the intention of examining the outcomes that occur when CHA is used as a partial replacement for cement. There has been an increase in the amount of CHA, which is a by-product of agriculture, which has led to concerns over its disposal as a potential risk to the environment. Hence, the purpose of this study is to determine if it is acceptable to use CHA in place of some Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) in the production of conventional concrete. Ash from coffee grounds contains many of the same chemical elements as like cement, including SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, and Cao, among others. It is thought that these components have Pozzolanic characteristics and function as very reactive binding materials. Constructing concrete mixes with varying amounts of CHA (0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16%) is the focus of this experimental study. The goal of this study is to examine the mechanical properties of concrete. Therefore, cement production techniques must be changed to reduce CO₂ emissions and natural resource depletion, while construction prices may be reduced by the use of proportionate partial cement substitutes. According to the results of this experiment, CHA might be used to reduce the environmental effect of concrete by partially replacing cement in its production.

Use of Fly Ash and Rice Husk Ash in Rigid Pavement: A Comprehensive Review

2026-02-17T07:01:54+00:00

Fly ash (FA) and rice husk ash (RHA) serve as sustainable cement replacements in rigid pavement quality concrete (PQC), achieving flexural strengths of 4.5–5.5 MPa while reducing cement by 20–30% and CO₂ emissions by 25–40% through pozzolanic reactions. This review synthesizes 25 experimental studies (2013–2025) showing optimal blends (10–20% FA + 5–10% RHA) yield M40-M50 PQC with 28-day compressive strengths of 45–55 MPa, meeting MoRTH specifications for rural/urban roads. Key findings include 20% FA enhancing flexural strength by 10–15% at w/c = 0.35–0.40, while RHA up to 10% improves durability against sulfate/chloride ingress. Combined replacements minimize cracking and cost by 15–20%, but higher RHA (>15%) reduces early strength. Gaps include long-term fatigue testing under Indian traffic loads and alkali-silica reaction (ASR) mitigation. Future research should target geopolymer PQC and nano-modified FA-RHA blends for 50+ MPa pavements.

Enhanced Performance of Hot Mix Asphalt Using a Polyethylene–Palm Kernel Shell Ash Composite Modifier

2026-01-03T12:01:17+00:00

The highway network plays a crucial role in promoting social and economic development within the nation, making its longevity essential. Improving the durability of Asphalt Concrete (AC) pavements can lead to reduced maintenance and repair efforts, enhanced ride quality, and minimized environmental impact. However, rising costs and difficulties in sourcing materials for construction, along with the negative environmental effects of industrial and agricultural by-products, highlight the need for research into better methods for enhancing the properties of asphalt concrete. One approach involves incorporating these by-products into the asphalt concrete mix design. Many studies have shown that adding mineral fillers to hot mix asphalt concrete can significantly improve its characteristics. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of Palm Kernel Shell Ash (PKSA) and melted polyethylene on the mix design properties of asphalt concrete. The Marshall mix design methodology was used to accomplish this, allowing for the fabrication of representative samples. The Marshall Apparatus was utilized to determine stability and flow, while compressive strength and the retained strength index of both unsoaked and soaked samples were calculated using established models. The results indicated that the mechanical properties—such as stability, density, flow, air voids, compressive strength, and swelling index—of the modified hot mix asphalt concrete were superior to those of the unmodified version, thanks to the addition of PKSA and melted polyethylene. The optimal ratio for achieving maximum stability, flow, density, swelling index, and Voids in Total Mix (VTM) was found to be 19% by weight of binder and 9% PKSA by weight of aggregates. In conclusion, the combination of PKSA and polyethylene serves as an effective modifier and should be included in the production of asphalt concrete.

Experimental Investigation on the Durability Properties of Concrete under Aggressive Environmental Conditions

2026-02-19T04:45:45+00:00

Concrete structures exposed to aggressive environmental conditions often experience premature deterioration, resulting in reduced service life and increased maintenance costs. This study investigates the mechanical and durability performance of M15 grade concrete subjected to varying curing durations and hostile exposure conditions. Standardized laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate compressive strength, split tensile strength, water absorption, sulfate resistance, carbonation depth, and fire resistance. The influence of extended curing on both strength development and durability characteristics was systematically analyzed. The results demonstrate that prolonged curing significantly enhances the overall performance of concrete. Water absorption decreased from 6.45 to 5.65%, representing a 12.4% reduction, indicating improved pore structure refinement and reduced permeability. Sulfate resistance showed noticeable improvement, with mass loss restricted to 8.05%, confirming enhanced resistance to chemical attack. Carbonation depth was reduced by 16.2%, further validating the concrete’s ability to withstand long-term environmental degradation. Mechanical properties also exhibited substantial improvement with extended curing. Compressive strength increased from 18.5 to 25.8 MPa, reflecting a 39.4% gain, while split tensile strength improved from 2.05to 2.65 MPa, an increase of 29.3%, indicating better crack resistance and structural integrity. Fire resistance testing revealed minimal strength loss of only 6.5% after one hour of exposure at 400°C, demonstrating satisfactory thermal stability under elevated temperatures. Overall, the developed M15 concrete mix exhibits a balanced synergy between strength and durability. The findings suggest that with appropriate curing practices, conventional concrete can perform effectively in coastal, industrial, and high-temperature environments, supporting sustainable construction practices and extended service life.

Influence of Fibre Blends on the Mechanical Properties and Durability Response of Structural Grade Concrete

2026-01-15T04:55:01+00:00

The study aims to evaluate the influence of high-volume polymeric fibre incorporation on compressive and flexural strength characteristics, with a particular emphasis on serviceability and long-term durability improvements in dense, low water-cement ratio matrices. Polypropylene fibres were introduced at dosages of 2.5% and 3.5% by cement weight, employing a controlled pre-mixing technique to prevent fibre agglomeration and ensure uniform dispersion throughout the matrix. Compressive strength tests were conducted on standard cube specimens at 14 and 28 days, while flexural strength tests were performed on prism specimens at 28 days. The results indicated a consistent improvement in compressive strength, ranging between 35 and 42% compared to the control concrete. The flexural strength exhibited marginal but steady enhancement (4.31 MPa → 4.32 MPa for M40 and 5.10 MPa → 5.12 MPa for M50). The flexural strength results show an enhancement in tensile performance due to the inclusion of polypropylene fibres. Both M40 and M50 grades demonstrate a moderate increase in flexural strength from 2.5 to 3.5% fibre dosage. The M50 mix shows superior flexural performance compared to M40 due to its denser microstructure and enhanced paste-aggregate bond. The gain of approximately 1–5% in flexural strength reflects the ability of PPF to bridge cracks and resist tensile stresses even after matrix cracking, ensuring post-crack ductility. The experimental outcomes confirmed that fibre inclusion substantially refined the failure pattern, improved post-cracking behaviour, and enhanced crack-bridging capability without compromising mix workability or matrix integrity.