ISSN 2360-7955
Abstract
The study investigated properties of concrete made using crushed ceramic waste as fine aggregate. The study strived to determine whether crushed ceramics can be used in structural concrete and achieve strengths that can be equalled to that of river sand concrete. Rapid population growth has increased rate of depletion of natural resources and increased dump sites. Waste materials generated during construction and demolition of structures can cause serious problems due to costs associated with disposal and environmental pollution. The rate of environmental degradation can be reduced by diversifying materials and sources of aggregates for convectional aggregates extracted from quarrying. Materials such as ceramic waste are a usable substitute for conventional aggregate. The study was conducted through experimental research approach whereby laboratory experiments were conducted before coming up with a feasible conclusion and recommendation. Class 25 control specimen using river sand as fine aggregate was prepared and compared to specimen that used crushed ceramic waste as fine aggregate. Properties of aggregates, fresh and hardened concrete were obtained through observation and data analysis of the results through tables and graphs. The study established that compressive, tensile and flexural strengths slightly reduced in crushed ceramic concrete. Concrete produced with crushed ceramic waste as fine aggregate for class 25 did not meet the required strength at 28 days. Slump test for ceramic fine aggregate reduced in class 25 concrete. Crushed ceramic fine aggregate had higher water absorption of 16.92% compared to 5% for river sand. Ceramics’ high water absorption resulted to a lower workability. Ceramic fine aggregate had a lower specific gravity of 2.53 compared to 2.62 for river sand. Specific gravity affects density thus concrete produced and the density of ceramic concrete was expected to reduce. The study concluded that crushed ceramic waste cannot replace river sand as a fine aggregate as the engineering properties of the concrete are inferior to that of the designed concrete. Class 25 concrete with ceramic waste as fine aggregate which is structural concrete cannot be used as it did not meet the required strength at 28 days.
Keywords: Fine Aggregate, Concrete, Crushed Ceramic Waste.