Investigating chemical, physical and mechanical properties of eco-cement produced using dry sewage sludge and traditional raw materials

Abstract

This work was performed to investigate the effect of using dry municipal sewage sludge as<br><br>one of the raw materials in Portland cement production on the mechanical and durability<br><br>properties of an environmentally sustainable cement (eco-cement). The specimens were<br><br>prepared as one control and four different replacement level of dry sewage sludge as partial<br><br>substitute of traditional raw materials (5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 15.0 percent). Several physical,<br><br>chemical and mechanical characteristics of eco-cement produced in this study were<br><br>determined experimentally. The results indicated that chemical composition of all specimens<br><br>were very similar to each other. Moreover, the specific gravity and fineness of specimens<br><br>containing sludge were found to be lower and higher than control specimens, respectively.<br><br>Initial and final setting times of eco-cement increased with the increase in replacement level<br><br>of dry sewage sludge. In addition, with increasing the replacement level, the normal<br><br>consistency, fluidity and the volume expansion values of specimens increased. It was also<br><br>observed that for all eco-cement specimens, the compressive and flexural strengths were<br><br>comparable to control specimens.