Enhancing Sustainability and Economics of Concrete Production through Silica Fume: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This review article addresses the problems associated with the carbon footprint of the cement industry. The PRISMA framework methodology was for data extraction from published studies. In-depth research has been done in the literature on using silica fume as a cement replacement in concrete production, considering environmental, engineering, and economic (EEE) factors. The strength, durability, and economic parameters results revealed a positive variation of up to 5–20% substitution of silica fume. However, most past studies reported the threshold at a 10% replacement ratio. A novel benefit-cost ratio analysis was also done in this review study. The benefit-cost ratio analysis reveals the economically beneficial effects that can be achieved in sustainable silica fume-based concrete with a (5–20%) silica fume combination. The benefit-cost ratio showed positive effects, up to 20% cement replacement with silica fume. Hence, the higher cement replacement with silica fume is also beneficial in terms of the benefit-cost ratio. Further research has been proposed based on the findings of this review study. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2023-09-10-017 Full Text: PDF

Evaluating Recycled PET as an Alternative Material for the Construction Sector Towards Sustainability

“…This field has become an essential subject of study and has been explored by researchers. It primarily focuses on strategies for effectively utilizing suitable waste materials to enhance sustainability and the economy by emphasizing recycling and reutilization [8][9][10][11]. Within the construction industry, materials frequently recycled comprise crumb rubber, silica fumes, roofing shingles, palm fruit husks, citrus rinds, kiln dust cement, asphalt, flyash, foundry sand, glass, slag, and recycled aggregates derived from dismantled concrete infrastructures [12][13][14][15].…”