A sustainable approach to optimum utilization of used foundry sand in concrete

摘要

Conservation of natural resources, healthy environments, and optimal utilization of waste materials are intimate needs of the present time, and this research work was carried out to fulfill these needs. In this experimental and analytical study, concrete was prepared by replacing natural fine aggregates with two types of used foundry sands by 10%, 20% and 30% (by volume). The properties of fresh and hardened concrete were investigated and compared with a replacement amount of fine aggregates from 0% to 30%. Compressive strength was evaluated after 7, 28 and 63 days of moist curing. Along with compressive strength, the modulus of elasticity was also investigated and a reduction in compressive strength and modulus of elasticity was observed with the increase in the amount of used foundry sand. A prediction formula was proposed to predict the compressive strength, and verified by current experimental observations and also with a large database that was also established in this work. The prediction formula may be considered as very helpful for predicting the potential of using used foundry sand as an aggregate in concrete.