Assessing the potential of water treatment sludge for cement replacement in concrete
Abstract
The rapid growth of population and urbanization in recent years has led to a significant increase in waste generation, including sludge produced from domestic water treatment plants, wastewater treatment facilities, and various industrial processes. Conventionally, the disposal of such sludge is carried out through landfilling at designated sites, which not only poses environmental challenges but also incurs substantial associated costs. Concurrently, the rising demand for construction materials, particularly concrete, which constitutes a major portion of global building materials , has escalated the consumption of natural resources and contributed to considerable CO 2 emissions, especially from the production of Portland cement. These concerns underscore the urgent need to explore alternative materials that can mitigate environmental impacts. In this context, the reuse of sludge from water treatment plants as a partial replacement for cement in concrete production emerges as a promising solution. This approach offers multiple benefits, including waste reduction, conservation of raw materials, energy savings, and a decrease in CO 2 emissions associated with cement production. This study aims to evaluate the potential of utilizing water treatment sludge as a partial substitute for cement in concrete mixtures. The results highlight the feasibility of this approach and serve as a foundation for further research toward its practical application, contributing to sustainable development in the construction sector .