Experimental study on effects of waste on compressive strength of concrete

ABSTRACT
This paper illustrates the effects of waste foundry sand on compressive strength of concrete on normal
concrete and concrete containing construction and demolition aggregate. The test samples were
conducted on 3, 7 and 28 days of curing. Experimental study indicates an overall increase in 28 days
strength of cube specimens on addition of WFS. Test results shows that upon addition of WFS with
20% replacement with fine aggregate the compressive strength increases. On adding C & D waste
aggregates the compressive strength comes out to be slightly less as compared to the control specimen.
But, when both WFS 20% partially replacing fine sand and C & D aggregates are used the compressive
strength tends to increase. Thus, it can be concluded that incorporating WFS to concrete construction
not only increases its compressive strength but also solves the problem of disposing WFS which is a
by-product of metal casting industries. Further, the use of C & D aggregates helps in reducing the waste
management problem which is becoming a serious threat to the ecosystem.
1. Introduction
Concrete is one of the major component used in construction around the world. Fine aggregate (sand)
being a component of cement is on a rise of getting exploited. Tremendous use of sand due to
urbanisation and industrialisation has a severe impact on the river bed, water table resulting in loss of
ecosystem. Thus, there is a critical need for an alternative to river sand.
Waste management has become a global environmental issue. The boom in industrialisation has resulted
in million tonnes of by-products which affects the ecosystem. Waste foundry sand being one of the
major by-product in ferrous and non-ferrous metal casting industries is used in land filling. The used
foundry sand is an industrial waste left over after repetitive use in casting process of foundry industry.
The waste foundry sand is usually piled up in the surrounding areas and seldom used for any practical
purposes. The use of waste foundry sand in concrete will not only help in preserving the natural sand
deposits but will also diminish the damaging effect on the environment due to its otherwise random
disposal. Thus, incorporating WFS in concrete not solve the issues of land filling but also reduce the
burden on river sand. The compressive strength is an important property of concrete and hence the effect
of addition of these wastes on the compressive strength of concrete needs to be investigated.
C & D waste resulting from the demolition of old structures is another waste which is rendered useless
and are being used for hap hazardous disposal. The C & D waste includes mainly concrete components
can be processed and reused in new construction works thereby reducing the demand for quarrying
natural aggregates. The addition of C & D aggregates not only reduces the quarrying of natural
aggregates but also helps in proper utilisation of C& D waste thus preserving the environment.
2. Material and mixtures
2.1 Cement: The cement used in the preparation of test specimens consisted of single batch 43 grade
ordinary Portland cement satisfying the requirements specified in IS: 8112-1989. Table 1 lists the
physical properties of cement and its chemical constituents are given in Table 2.
Table 1 Ordinary Portland cement: physical properties
Property Value Property Value
Standard consistency (%) 28.5 Compressive strength 3 days 25.2
2
Fineness (%) 2.1 (N/mm ) after 7 days 34.3
Initial setting time (minutes) 62 28 days 45.6
Final setting time (minutes) 615
 Table 2 Ordinary Portland cement: chemical composition
Chemical Ca O SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 Mg O SO3 Cl Loss on Ignition
constituent
Content (%) 45.85 32.40 6.80 4.05 1.20 1.95 0.02 6.10

2.2 Fine aggregate: The fine aggregate was obtained from natural stone crushed in stone crusher. The
grain size distribution curve of natural sand is given in figure 1. The fineness modulus of sand was 2.86
and its specific gravity and water absorption were 2.63 and 0.06% respectively. The sand is of good
quality for use in concrete as specified in IS: 383-1970.

2.3 Coarse aggregate: Natural stones were crushed to obtain coarse aggregate of desired grading for
use in concrete work. The grain size distribution curve of coarse aggregate is given in figure 1 and its
fineness modulus was 6.65. The specific gravity of coarse aggregate was 2.65 with water absorption of
0.016% and its impact value and crushing value were 17.0% and 20.5% respectively (IS: 2386-1963).
The grading of coarse aggregate conformed to graded aggregate having nominal size 20 mm as per IS:
383-1970.

2.6 Waste foundry sand: Glass forms as a result of solutions containing alkali and alkali metal oxides
in addition to other metal oxides and contains primarily silica (SiO2). Waste glass of used window pan
was taken as replacement of fine aggregate. As per IS: 383- 1970, the waste glass fine aggregate lies in
grading zone I. The specific gravity of waste foundry sand aggregate is 2.59 and its particle size
distribution curve is shown in figure 1 which is approximately parallel and matching with the particle
size distribution curve of fine aggregate or C & D fine aggregate. The waste foundry sand fine aggregate
had water absorption of 0.22% and its fineness modulus was 2.65.

Table 3 Waste foundry sand: chemical composition

Chemical SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO SO3 MnO TiO2 K2O Na2O LOI
constituent
Content (%) 82.50 1.50 6.05 1.25 1.08 0.40 0.04 0.15 0.85 1.02 5.60

2.5 Construction demolition waste fine aggregate: The demolished concrete was crushed to obtain
the fine aggregate passing through 4.75 mm sieve. The grain size distribution curve of construction
demolition waste fine aggregate shown in figure 1 lies very close to the grain size distribution curve of
natural fine aggregate but it consisted of more particles of finer size due to the presence of crushed
cement present in it. The construction demolition waste fine aggregate had specific gravity 2.57 with
water absorption of 0.14% and its fineness modulus was 2.66. The construction demolition waste fine
aggregate was good quality sand for concrete work lying in grading zone II as specified in IS: 383 –
1970.
2.6 Construction demolition waste coarse aggregate: The construction demolition waste coarse
aggregate was obtained by crushing demolished concrete and then grading to particle size distribution
lying below 40 mm but larger than 4.75 mm. The grain size distribution curve of construction
demolition waste coarse aggregate shown in figure 1 is approximately merging with that of natural
coarse aggregate but it consisted of slightly finer particles. The construction demolition waste coarse
aggregate had specific gravity 2.61 with water absorption 0.08% and its fineness modulus was 6.73.
The construction demolition waste coarse aggregate possessed impact value 19.4% and crushing value
22.8%. The grading of the construction demolition waste coarse aggregate conformed to graded
aggregate of 20 mm nominal size as specified in IS: 383- 1970 and was suitable for use in concrete.
 100
Coarse aggregate
C & D coarse aggregate
80
C & D fine aggregate
Percentage finer (%) Fine aggregate
60 Waste foundry sand

40

20

0
0.01 0.1 1 10 100

Particle size (mm)

Fig. 1 Particle size distribution curves for constituent materials

2.7 Water: Potable water conforming to stipulations of IS: 456-2000 (reaffirmed in 2011) is used for
mixing and curing. The properties of water are suitable for use in concrete work.
2.8 Proportions of mixtures: The mix proportioning and material combinations used for performing
compressive strength test are given in table 4. Specimens were prepared in cube of sizes 15 cm x 15 cm
x 15 cm for M20 grade of concrete with water cement ratio to be kept at 0.5 to the desired grading in
air-dried conditions as per IS: 456 -2000. Concrete was filled in three layers and each layer is compacted
by giving 25 blows. The specimens were stored in laboratory in a place free from vibration under damp
matting for 24 hours and then immersed in clear water at a temperature of 24-30°C. The specimens
were tested for compressive strength in computer-controlled universal testing machine after curing
periods of 3, 7 and 28 days immediately after removal from water while they were still in wet condition.
The test results of specimens showing compressive strength at 28 days are presented and compared with
those of the control specimen and prospects of using WFS by partial replacement with fine aggregate
with and without C & D waste aggregates in concrete has been studied.
Table 4 Material proportions used in samples
Description of specimen Specimens
A1 - Cement: sand: aggregate:: 1: 2: 4 3
A2 - Cement: sand (C&D): aggregate (C&D):: 1: 2: 4 3
A31, A32 and A33 - Cement: sand: aggregate:: 1: 2: 4 (sand replaced by WFS = 10%, 9
20%, 30%)
A41, A42 and A43 - Cement: sand (C&D): aggregate (C&D):: 1: 2: 4 (sand replaced 9
by WFS = 10%, 20%, 30%)

3. Results and discussions

3.1 Stress- strain characteristics of natural aggregate concrete: The stress-strain characteristics of
concrete specimen of fresh aggregate without any fine aggregate replacement are shown in figure 2. For
the control specimen (A1), the maximum compressive strength at 28 days is 20.82 N/mm2
corresponding to a strain of 2.15%.
 22

20 3 Days 7 Days 28 Days

18

16
Stress (N/mm2)

14

12

10

0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Strain (%)

Fig.2 Stress-strain characteristics of natural aggregate concrete

3.2 Stress-strain characteristics of C & D waste aggregate concrete: The stress-strain characteristics
of C & D waste aggregates is shown in figure 3. The use of C & D aggregate results in compressive
strength of 8.57 N/mm2 at 3 days, 14.29 N/mm2 at 7 days and increased to 20 N/mm2 at 28 days of age
at a strain level of 1.41%. The compressive strength characteristics of C & D waste aggregate is
comparable to that of fresh aggregate concrete. The use of C & D aggregates in place of natural
aggregates reveals slight decrease in strength as compared to control specimen with specimen failing at
low strain levels in comparison with control specimen. The marginal reduction in compressive strength
of concrete upon replacement of natural aggregate with construction demolition aggregate has been
established by some investigators (Khatib, 2005; Padmini et al, 2009). The marginal strength reduction
may be due the weaker interfacial transition between the aggregate and the mortar.

25.00

3 Days 7 Days 28 Days

20.00

15.00
Stress (N/mm2)

10.00

5.00

0.00
0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60
Strain (%)

Fig.3 Stress-strain characteristics of C & D waste aggregate concrete

3.3 Stress-strain characteristics of waste foundry sand with natural aggregate concrete: The
influence of partial replacement of fine aggregate with waste foundry sand on compressive strength of
concrete is illustrated in figure 4. For natural aggregate concrete consisting of 20% replacement of fine
aggregate with waste foundry sand compressive strength attained is 15.51 N/mm2 at 3 days, 20.61
N/mm2 at 7 days which increases to 28.57 N/mm2 at age of 28 days at strain level 2.34%. The cube
failed at higher strain level and achieved higher compressive strength with that for the control specimen
(A1). The test results shows that the compressive strength of natural aggregate concrete increases upon
partial replacement of fine aggregate with waste foundry sand. The compressive strength of natural
aggregate concrete with partial replacement of fine aggregate by waste foundry sand is improved as
revealed by various researchers (Siddique et al, 2007; Etxeberria et al, 2010; Singh and Siddique, 2012;
Salokhe and Desai, 2013; Prabhu et al, 2014; Olutoge et al, 2015; Siddique et al, 2015; Bhardwaj and
Kumar, 2017). The improvement in compressive strength occurs up to optimum content (20%; Salokhe
and Desai, 2013; Prabhu et al, 2014) because of compact structure and densification caused by waste
foundry sand. The increase in strength is due to waste foundry sand being finer than sand particles
which helps to fill the voids resulting in a dense and strong matrix.
30.00

3 Days 7 Days 28 Days

25.00

20.00
Stress (N/mm2)

15.00

10.00

5.00

0.00
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00
Strain (%)

Fig.4 Stress-strain characteristics of natural aggregate + waste foundry sand (20% replacement)
concrete

3.3 Stress-strain characteristics of C & D waste aggregate concrete for 20% replacement with
waste foundry sand: The compressive strength of construction demolition waste aggregate concrete
containing 20% replacement of fine aggregate with waste foundry sand is 14.69 N/mm2 at 3 days, 20
N/mm2 at 7 days which increases to 27.14 N/mm2 at age of 28 days corresponds to a strain of 1.46%;
the cube achieved higher strength at low levels of strain as compared to control sample. The test results
show improvement in compressive strength of construction demolition waste aggregate concrete due to
partial replacement of fine aggregate with waste foundry sand. However, the compressive strength
values achieved in construction demolition waste aggregate concrete with partial replacement of fine
aggregate with waste foundry sand are lower than the respective values achieved in case of natural
aggregate concrete on partial replacement of fine aggregate with waste foundry sand. The lower values
of compressive strength may be due to weak interfacial transition between the aggregate and mortar.
The compressive strength develops at nearly the same rate irrespective of the type of aggregate for
partial replacement of fine aggregate with waste foundry sand.
 30

3 Days 7 Days 28 Days

25

20
Stress (N/mm2 )

15

10

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2
Stress (%)

Fig. 5 Stress-strain characteristics of C & D aggregate + waste foundry sand (20% replacement)
concrete

4. Conclusions
The experimental results concluded the effect of construction demolition waste and/or waste foundry
sand on compressive strength of concrete as under:
(1) The use of construction demolition waste aggregates in place of natural aggregates shows slightly
less value of compressive strength as compared to natural aggregate concrete.
(2) The partial replacement of fine aggregate with waste foundry sand leads to increase in the
compressive strength of natural aggregate concrete.
(3) The partial replacement of fine aggregate with waste foundry sand leads to increase in the
compressive strength of construction demolition aggregate concrete. But, the compressive strength
values are less as compared to values obtained from partial replacement of fine aggregate with waste
foundry sand of natural aggregate concrete.
(4) The construction demolition waste and waste foundry sand can be effectively utilized in concrete
yielding improved compressive strength thus solving the problem of disposal. The use of these waste
materials can save the natural aggregates, reducing burdens on landfills thereby avoiding the damage
to the environment.

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