APPLICATION OF BIOCHAR AS PARTIAL CEMENT REPLACEMENT WITH POLYPROPYLENE PLASTIC WASTE FOR SUSTAINABLE CONCRETE PAVING BLOCKS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/vmsxaq82Keywords:
Biochar, Polypropylene Waste, Cement Replacement, Paving blocks, SustainabilityAbstract
Cement production and sand extraction contribute heavily to carbon emissions and environmental degradation. This study investigates the development of sustainable concrete paving blocks by partially replacing cement with biochar and sand with polypropylene (PP) plastic waste. Concrete blocks with dimensions of 11.25 × 22.5 × 6 cm were cast using a 1:2:1 cement:sand:crushed stone ratio, substituting 5–20% biochar and 2–6% PP, and cured for 3, 7, and 28 days. Tests conducted in accordance with TIS 827-2565 included compressive strength, water absorption, density, and skid resistance. Results indicated that replacing cement with biochar and sand with PP slightly decreased the density; however, mixtures containing up to 5% biochar and 2% PP maintained density values comparable to the control mix. The optimum performance occurred at 5% biochar and 2% PP, achieving a compressive strength of 52.11 MPa with acceptable water absorption and skid resistance. The findings highlight a practical and eco-efficient approach for reusing natural and plastic wastes in construction, reducing reliance on virgin materials while producing standardized and sustainable concrete suitable for practical applications.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Piyarat Paoleng, Sirisak Kongsomsaksakul, Ittipon Meepon, Siripat Maneekaew (Author)
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