Performance of Mortar Incorporating Heat-Treated Drinking Water Treatment Sludge as a Silica-Sand Replacement

This paper examines the possibility of using water purification wastes in the production of mortar. Within the study context, XRD and XRF analyses were performed to obtain the chemical composition of sludge. Moreover, heat-treated sludge at a temperature of ۹۰۰ºC was used in the preparation of mortar mixes as a partial sand replacement (۵, ۱۰, ۱۵, and ۲۰% by sand weight) with a w/c of ۰.۴۸. Fresh mortars were tested for workability, and mortar samples with ۷, ۲۸, and ۹۰ days curing ages were tested for dry density, absorption, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and compressive and flexural strengths. Besides, some regression modeling was conducted for each of the measured parameters. In general, the results showed that the use of up to ۱۰% incinerated sludge by sand weight leads to a slight decrease in the workability and density of the mixture and a ۱۰% increase in its strength. Nevertheless, mortars with sludge content of over ۱۰% showed a significant increase in water absorption and a decrease in strength and other properties. Doi: ۱۰.۲۸۹۹۱/CEJ-۲۰۲۲-۰۸-۰۸-۰۸ Full Text: PDF

Keywords:

Water Purification , Incinerated Sludge , XRD and XRF , Sludge Management , Sand Mining , Absorption Test.