The addition of natural clay and industrial and agricultural waste on the performance of green and sustainable concrete

Abstract Cement production is a major contributor to global CO2 emissions, necessitating the development of sustainable alternatives such as fiber-reinforced concrete incorporating supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) and agricultural waste. This approach keeps the environment safe by reducing t...

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Main Authors: Inzimam Ul Haq, Ayub Elahi, Atif Khan, Afsar Ali, Qadir Bux alias Imran Latif Qureshi, Aïssa Rezzoug, Mohd Aamir Mumtaz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00823-8
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author Inzimam Ul Haq
Ayub Elahi
Atif Khan
Afsar Ali
Qadir Bux alias Imran Latif Qureshi
Aïssa Rezzoug
Mohd Aamir Mumtaz
author_facet Inzimam Ul Haq
Ayub Elahi
Atif Khan
Afsar Ali
Qadir Bux alias Imran Latif Qureshi
Aïssa Rezzoug
Mohd Aamir Mumtaz
author_sort Inzimam Ul Haq
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Cement production is a major contributor to global CO2 emissions, necessitating the development of sustainable alternatives such as fiber-reinforced concrete incorporating supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) and agricultural waste. This approach keeps the environment safe by reducing the consumption of conventional raw materials for concrete production. Incorporating the SCMs in concrete can potentially improve the mechanical and durability properties. This research evaluated the behavior of concrete mixtures using different proportions of natural wheat straw fiber, bentonite, and silica fume (SF). The fresh property was investigated by using a workability test, and mechanical properties were investigated by using compressive strength and split tensile strength. Bulk density, water absorption, and sorptivity tests were also performed to investigate the durability of concrete. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted to evaluate the microstructure and morphology of the developed concrete mixtures. The results revealed that the slump value decreased with incorporating SCMs and fibers (83–42 mm). The compressive strength ranged from 11 MPa to 23 MPa, increasing with the increased Bentonite and SF dosages. Splitting tensile strength ranged from 2.2 MPa to 2.7 MPa, showing an increase with increased dosages of SCMs and fibers. The addition of WSFR compromised the compressive strengths of the developed mixtures, however, the ductility of the mixtures was improved with the incorporation of the WSFR. The SEM confirmed the CSH gel formation in the mixtures containing bentonite and SF. This gel formation improved the mechanical properties of the concrete, reduced water absorption, and increased its resistance to acid. The resulting concrete mixtures can address the carbon emissions associated with cement production and provide a sustainable construction material.
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spelling doaj-art-1639f5cf34e144a4b66dec704dce5f762025-08-20T03:53:57ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-00823-8The addition of natural clay and industrial and agricultural waste on the performance of green and sustainable concreteInzimam Ul Haq0Ayub Elahi1Atif Khan2Afsar Ali3Qadir Bux alias Imran Latif Qureshi4Aïssa Rezzoug5Mohd Aamir Mumtaz6Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology TaxilaDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of Louisiana at LafayetteDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of Louisiana at LafayetteDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, University of NizwaCivil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU)Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU)Abstract Cement production is a major contributor to global CO2 emissions, necessitating the development of sustainable alternatives such as fiber-reinforced concrete incorporating supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) and agricultural waste. This approach keeps the environment safe by reducing the consumption of conventional raw materials for concrete production. Incorporating the SCMs in concrete can potentially improve the mechanical and durability properties. This research evaluated the behavior of concrete mixtures using different proportions of natural wheat straw fiber, bentonite, and silica fume (SF). The fresh property was investigated by using a workability test, and mechanical properties were investigated by using compressive strength and split tensile strength. Bulk density, water absorption, and sorptivity tests were also performed to investigate the durability of concrete. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted to evaluate the microstructure and morphology of the developed concrete mixtures. The results revealed that the slump value decreased with incorporating SCMs and fibers (83–42 mm). The compressive strength ranged from 11 MPa to 23 MPa, increasing with the increased Bentonite and SF dosages. Splitting tensile strength ranged from 2.2 MPa to 2.7 MPa, showing an increase with increased dosages of SCMs and fibers. The addition of WSFR compromised the compressive strengths of the developed mixtures, however, the ductility of the mixtures was improved with the incorporation of the WSFR. The SEM confirmed the CSH gel formation in the mixtures containing bentonite and SF. This gel formation improved the mechanical properties of the concrete, reduced water absorption, and increased its resistance to acid. The resulting concrete mixtures can address the carbon emissions associated with cement production and provide a sustainable construction material.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00823-8Acidic attack resistanceCompression strengthNatural wheat straw fiberSupplementary cementing materialSplit tensile strengthSorptivity
spellingShingle Inzimam Ul Haq
Ayub Elahi
Atif Khan
Afsar Ali
Qadir Bux alias Imran Latif Qureshi
Aïssa Rezzoug
Mohd Aamir Mumtaz
The addition of natural clay and industrial and agricultural waste on the performance of green and sustainable concrete
Scientific Reports
Acidic attack resistance
Compression strength
Natural wheat straw fiber
Supplementary cementing material
Split tensile strength
Sorptivity
title The addition of natural clay and industrial and agricultural waste on the performance of green and sustainable concrete
title_full The addition of natural clay and industrial and agricultural waste on the performance of green and sustainable concrete
title_fullStr The addition of natural clay and industrial and agricultural waste on the performance of green and sustainable concrete
title_full_unstemmed The addition of natural clay and industrial and agricultural waste on the performance of green and sustainable concrete
title_short The addition of natural clay and industrial and agricultural waste on the performance of green and sustainable concrete
title_sort addition of natural clay and industrial and agricultural waste on the performance of green and sustainable concrete
topic Acidic attack resistance
Compression strength
Natural wheat straw fiber
Supplementary cementing material
Split tensile strength
Sorptivity
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00823-8
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