In a significant advancement for sustainable construction practices, researchers have identified a novel method for repurposing waste waterglass foundry sand (WwFS) as an aggregate in alkali-activated slag mortars (AASM). This development, led by X. Shen from the School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Anhui University of Science and Technology, addresses a pressing issue within the foundry industry, where WwFS is often relegated to landfills.
The study, recently published in ‘Materiales de Construccion’ (Materials of Construction), explores two distinct pre-wetting techniques for WwFS—one involving a 24-hour soak at 20°C and another utilizing a rapid 1 to 6-hour treatment at a higher temperature of 70°C. The results are promising: the compressive strength of the mortars made with the hot water pre-wetted sand showed a remarkable increase of up to 10% after 28 days. Additionally, the average elastic modulus of the resulting C-(A)-S-H gel—a crucial component for the material’s structural integrity—rose by 16%.
“This research confirms that hot water pre-wetting can significantly enhance the performance of WwFS in construction applications,” Shen stated. “By treating WwFS in this way, we can not only improve the material properties but also contribute to reducing waste in the foundry sector.”
The implications of this research extend beyond mere academic interest. With the construction industry increasingly focused on sustainability and waste reduction, the ability to utilize a byproduct like WwFS could lead to significant cost savings and environmental benefits. As the demand for eco-friendly building materials grows, incorporating WwFS could provide a viable alternative to traditional aggregates, which often come with a larger carbon footprint.
Furthermore, the findings could pave the way for large-scale adoption of alkali-activated materials, which are known for their durability and lower environmental impact compared to conventional Portland cement. The potential for WwFS to be used as a single aggregate source opens up new avenues for innovation in the field, suggesting that the construction sector may soon witness a shift towards more sustainable practices driven by such research.
As industry stakeholders look for solutions to meet both regulatory and consumer demands for sustainable construction, the insights from Shen’s study could be instrumental. The integration of waste materials into the construction supply chain not only helps in waste management but also aligns with the broader goals of reducing the industry’s reliance on virgin resources.
In a world where sustainable practices are increasingly becoming a priority, the research published in ‘Materiales de Construccion’ highlights a promising pathway for the construction industry to evolve and thrive in a more environmentally conscious manner.