Investigation of mechanical and durability properties of concrete made with a mixture of waste foundry sand and domestic treated wastewater

ABSTRACT

Two crucial and challenging issues that threaten the environment are the significant amount of drinking water for concrete production and the vast quantity of waste foundry sand (WFS) generated each year. Using WFS and treated wastewater (TW) in concrete instead of sand and drinking water is a new method for solid waste recycling and water reuse. In this research study, two types of concrete mixtures were made by partial replacement of natural sand with WFS, and simultaneously using both the WFS and the TW as a part of sand and drinking water. Then, the mechanical properties and durability of mixtures were determined. The results indicated that increasing WFS and TW ratios decreased the workability of concrete. The sample contained 20% WFS plus 50% TW (W20-TW50) showed the best results, which increased compressive strength by 33.9, 19.2, and 6.2% at the age of 7, 28, and 90 days respectively, and decreased 30- minute and 24- hour water adsorption by 10.6 and 14.3% compared to the control samples. Furthermore, using WFS and TW simultaneously in concrete did not significantly impact on ultrasonic pulse velocity and rapid chloride migration. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that the W20-TW50 sample had the best structural density and lowest pores.

KEYWORDS:

• Waste foundry sand
• treated wastewater
• slump
• compressive strength
• water absorption
• ultrasonic pulse velocity
• rapid chloride migration test
• scanning electron microscopy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

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Notes on contributors

Gholamreza Asadollahfardi

Gholamreza Asadollahfardi is an emerite professor of civil engineeing at Kharazmi University,and hold a phD degree in Environmental engineering.

Mojtaba Tayebi Jebeli

Mojtaba Tayebi Jebeli hold a MSc in civil engineering from Kharazmi University, Tehran.

Amir Abbasi Khalil

Amir Abbasi Khalil is a MSc student in construction management at Asad University, Tehran.

Hadi Shahir

Hadi Shahir is an associate professor in civil engineering departement at Kharazmi University, Tehran.He holds a phD degree in geotechnical engineering.