SEM analysis, durability and hardened characteristics of eco-friendly self-compacting concrete partially contained bentonite and waste walnut shells

Reusing waste materials as aggregate in self-compacting concrete (SCC) may reveal green construction materials. Walnut shell (WS) can be used in place of aggregate in SCC. This study utilized five dissimilar volume fractions of WS as fine aggregate ranging from 8% to 40%, containing bentonite clay powder constant as 10% of cement weight. The SEM analysis, fresh properties and hardened characteristics of all SCC mixtures were assessed. Additionally, the impact of a 5% concentration of H2SO4 and MgSO4 solution for a month on the compressive and splitting tensile strengths and density were studied. The workability of all the LWSCC mixes satisfied standard requirements except of L-Box result; nevertheless, as the WS content increased, the workability of the LWSCC mixtures declined. Following the exposure period for both sulphate attacks, all characteristics of LWSCC mixes were reduced. In contrast to the control mixture, the SEM analysis shows that when WS was added in greater amounts, the concrete became less dense and had more voids. Furthermore, the statistical analysis was performed by using two-way variance (ANOVA) technique which revealed that the effects of all independent variables on the strength and other properties of cement mortar were significant under all experimental conditions.