Sustainable concrete production: the role of ceramic waste as a partial coarse aggregate substitute

The increasing global demand for sustainable construction materials has led to the exploration of alternative resources in concrete production. This study investigated the potential of using crushed ceramic waste as a partial replacement for conventional aggregates to reduce environmental impact, minimize waste, and enhance resource efficiency. Concrete mixtures were prepared with ceramic waste replacing natural coarse aggregates at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% by weight. The compressive strength, split tensile strength, water absorption, and bulk density of the concrete were assessed at curing ages of 7, 14, and 28 days. The results show that replacing up to 20% of natural aggregates with ceramic waste improves the mechanical properties of concrete. At 28 days, compressive strength increased by 22% (from 27.27 to 33.27 MPa), and split tensile strength reached a maximum of 4.20 MPa with 20% ceramic waste. However, beyond 20%, performance declined, with compressive and tensile strengths dropping at 25% ceramic waste. Water absorption increased, and bulk density decreased with higher ceramic waste content. These findings suggest that while ceramic waste enhances concrete strength up to 20%, higher replacement levels lead to poor bonding and reduced performance. This research supports the use of ceramic waste as an eco-friendly alternative for sustainable concrete production, promoting a circular economy and environmentally conscious construction practices.