Cost Analysis of Sustainable Concrete Production Using Waste Nanoparticles

Abstract

In building constructions, considering sustainability, there is an increased interest in a reduction in landfills, converting waste materials into nanomaterials by using for example waste materials like waste grain wheat, waste ceramic, and slag, decreasing thus also the price of production of concrete and enhancing the properties of construction products. This article will focus on using waste ceramic powder and blast furnace slag as replacements for cementitious materials. “Conventional concrete” (Cc) is produced by mixing 100% cement + sand + water whilst “Sustainable concrete” (Sc) is produced from a mix of sand + water + 47.5 % cement+ 50% of waste-based Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) consisting of 25 % of Waste Ceramic Powder (WCP) and 25% of Blast Furnace Slag (BFS) ) +2.5% of nano SiO2. This article makes an economic comparison between these two types of concrete, showing that whilst the cost of 1 m3 Cc is approximately 100 $, the cost of 1 m3 Sc is 60 $, having the same mechanical properties. By using Sc for construction works leads to saving huge quantities of raw material used for cement production. The economic evaluation showed savings in cost around 40% by partial substitution of cement with waste-based/reused cementitious materials, being a promising result for a sustainable construction industry.