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Performance assessment of industrial waste-based mortar under elevated temperatures
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Incorporating plastic waste as a sand substitute in cement mortar, alongside industrial by-products like micro silica and blast furnace slag, improved compressive strength and reduced mass while withstanding elevated temperatures up to 450°C. This demonstrates a circular economy pathway for diverting plastic waste from landfills and waterways into durable construction materials.
The present study focuses on the effect of elevated temperatures i.e., 150, 300, and 450 °C on the mass and compressive strength of cement mortar consisting of industrial wastes such as plastic waste, micro silica, and ground granulated blast furnace slag. Plastic waste as a sand substitute and industrial by-products such as micro silica and ground granulated blast furnace slag as a cement substitute were used in the different mix proportions of cement mortar. The plastic waste with or without supplementary cementitious materials was used in the mortar mixes. The environmental assessment and performance index of different cement mortar mixes were evaluated and compared with the conventional mortar mix. Results showed that plastic waste, micro silica, and furnace slag enhanced the residual compressive strength, whereas the wastes reduced the mass of mortar specimens. It was concluded that the use of industrial waste up to a certain extent improved the performance of the mortar mixes. The circular economy and sustainable development are embodied in this approach by conserving natural resources, minimising waste, and maintaining acceptable performance characteristics.
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