Advancing Lightweight Concrete Using Volcanic Waste and Industrial Byproducts for Sustainable Development

Current boom in infrastructure development necessitates a substantial quantity of construction material, predominantly concrete. To satisfy the demand for concrete production, huge consumption of natural resources consumed causes environmental problems and depletion of their reserves. Therefore, the substitution of traditional construction materials is of utmost importance to save natural resources. Conventional waste management practices raise numerous environmental, economic, and social concerns, necessitating the development of viable alternatives. Besides, to reduce structural weight, enhanced properties of low-density concrete are required. As a result, the concept of lightweight concrete (LWC) has acquired attraction. In practice, there is an immense potential for utilizing waste residues from various industries in LWC and as a sustainable solution for waste management. The readily accessible volcanic byproduct, scoria possesses the capacity to address the rising demand for lightweight concrete-producing construction materials. Such LWC might replace conventional normal-weight concrete (NWC). Furthermore, the industrial waste silica fume (SF) has the capability to increase concrete strength. Hence, the target of this study is to introduce structural LWC using Scoria aggregate and silica fume pozzolanic material while assessing its impact. Two types of lightweight concrete have been developed where one is scoria lightweight concrete (SLWC). Another concrete incorporates the silica fume by partial replacement of cement together with the scoria, namely silica fume scoria lightweight concrete (SSLWC). Fresh and durability properties of volcanic waste-based concrete are investigated, and the results are assessed. Both the SLWC and SSLWC yielded significant properties showing the potential as structural concrete. The study indicates that Scoria has the potential to serve as a viable substitute to produce structural LWC and silica fume enhances the quality further. The availability of aggregate sources will safeguard natural resources and ensure that future generations inherit an ecological equilibrium. Such sustainable construction material might eliminate cost constraints across all regions and enhance the desirability of utilizing this LWC based on scoria on a global scale.