Integrating biomedical and fly ash waste in concrete: A strength-based comparative study for sustainable construction

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 4, 887 - 899, 31.12.2025

Arpita Brahmbhatt , Bina Patel

https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.1555389

Abstract

This study investigates the feasibility of using biomedical waste incineration ash (BWIA) and fly ash (FA) as partial replacements for cement (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) in M25 grade concrete. Comprehensive testing was conducted to evaluate the compressive strength and weight of concrete with varying percentages of BWIA and FA. A total of 36 concrete cubes were prepared and tested for compressive strength after 7, 14, 28, and 56 days of curing. Leachate analysis was also conducted to assess the environmental impact of the prepared concrete. The results revealed that optimal compressive strength was achieved at 28 days with a 20% replacement of both ashes, yielding strengths of 25.11 MPa for BWIA and 24.57 MPa for FA. Beyond 20% ash replacement, compressive strength declined, and increasing ash percentages led to lighter concrete. Furthermore, leachate analysis confirmed no release of heavy metals, ensuring environmental safety. This research demonstrates the potential for utilization of BWIA and FA as sustainable materials in concrete, addressing waste disposal challenges while contributing to green construction practices. By determining optimal replacement levels and application ranges, the study supports the development of eco-friendly concrete production and promotes sustainability in the construction industry.

Keywords

Sustainable construction , biomedical waste incineration ash , fly ash , leachate analysis , concrete compressive strength , cement replacement

Ethical Statement

Not Applicable

Supporting Institution

Not Applicable

Project Number

Not Applicable

Thanks

Not Applicable

References

• R. Sharma and R.N. Yadav, “Fly Ash Generation-Utilization, Government Initiatives In India And Other Diverse Applications: A Review,” Journal of Advanced Scientific Research, vol. 12(1), pp. 9–20, 2021, doi: 10.55218/JASR.202112102.
• A. Suresh Kumar, M. Muthukannan, R. Kanniga Devi, K. Arunkumar, and A. Chithambar Ganesh, “Reduction of hazardous incinerated bio-medical waste ash and its environmental strain by utilizing in green concrete,” Water Science Technology, vol. 84(10-11), pp. 2780–2792, 2021, doi: 10.2166/wst.2021.239.
• K.K. Padmanabhan and D. Barik, “Health Hazards of Medical Waste and its Disposal,” Energy from Toxic Organic Waste for Heat and Power Generation, pp. 99–118, 2019, doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-102528-4.00008-0.
• E.M.R. Fairbairn, B.B. Americano, G.C. Cordeiro, T.P. Paula, R.D. Toledo Filho, and M.M. Silvoso, “Cement replacement by sugar cane bagasse ash: CO2 emissions reduction and potential for carbon credits,” Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 91(9), pp. 1864–1871, 2010, doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.04.008.
• R.M. Andrew, “Global CO2 emissions from cement production,” Earth System Science Data, vol. 10(1), pp. 195–217, 2018, doi: 10.5194/essd-10-195-2018.
• M.C. Nataraja, N. Chakravarthy H.G., R. Shivaprasad, and S.R. Naganna, “Self-compacting concrete incorporating incinerated biomedical waste ash: a performance assessment,” Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, vol. 70(1), 2023, doi: 10.1186/s44147-023-00191-y.
• M. Abushad and M.D. Sabri, “Comparative Study of Compressive Strength of Concrete with Fly Ash Replacement by Cement,” International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, vol. 4(7), pp. 2627–2630, 2017.
• V.K.S.R, A.M. Arer, B.K. Sangeetha, S.U. Pateela, and S.C. Patil, “Cement Concrete Hollow Blocks To Replacing Cement By Fly Ash,” International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, vol. 5(5), pp. 157–160, 2018.
• K. Pandurangan, M. Thennavan, and A. Muthadhi, “Studies on Effect of Source of Flyash on the Bond Strength of Geopolymer Concrete,” Materials Today: Proceedings, vol. 5(5), pp. 12725–12733, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.matpr.2018.02.256.
• R. Dandautiya and A.P. Singh, “Utilization potential of fly ash and copper tailings in concrete as partial replacement of cement along with life cycle assessment,” Waste Management, vol. 99, pp. 90–101, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.08.036.
• T.B.T. Nguyen, R. Chatchawan, W. Saengsoy, S. Tangtermsirikul, and T. Sugiyama, “Influences of different types of fly ash and confinement on performances of expansive mortars and concretes,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 209, pp. 176–186, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.03.032.
• D. Nagrockienė and A. Rutkauskas, “The effect of fly ash additive on the resistance of concrete to alkali silica reaction,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 201, pp. 599–609, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.12.225.
• H. Kaur, R. Siddique, and A. Rajor, “Influence of incinerated biomedical waste ash on the properties of concrete,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 226, pp. 428–441, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.239.
• N. Al-Mutairi, M. Terro, and A.-L. Al-Khaleefi, “Effect of recycling hospital ash on the compressive properties of concrete: statistical assessment and predicting model,” Building and Environment, vol. 39(5), pp. 557–566, 2004, doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2003.12.010.
• C. Genazzini, G. Giaccio, A. Ronco, and R. Zerbino, “Cement-based materials as containment systems for ash from hospital waste incineration,” Waste Management, vol. 25(6), pp. 649–654, 2005, doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2005.01.004.
• A. Akyıldız, E.T. Köse, and A. Yıldız, “Compressive strength and heavy metal leaching of concrete containing medical waste incineration ash,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 138, pp. 326–332, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.02.017.
• M. Singh and R. Siddique, “Effect of coal bottom ash as partial replacement of sand on workability and strength properties of concrete,” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 112, pp. 620–630, 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.08.001.
• J. . Aubert, B. Husson, and A. Vaquier, “Use of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash in concrete,” Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 34(6), pp. 957–963, 2004, doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2003.11.002.
• A.A. Al-Rawas, A. Wahid Hago, R. Taha, and K. Al-Kharousi, “Use of incinerator ash as a replacement for cement and sand in cement mortars,” Building and Environment, vol. 40(9), pp. 1261–1266, 2005, doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2004.10.009.
• T. Aissa, B. Rachid, and F. Kharchi, “Effect of Pharmaceutical Wastes Usage as Partial Replacement of Cement on the Durability of High-Performance Concrete,” Procedia Structural Integrity, vol. 13, pp. 218–221, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.prostr.2018.12.036.
• B. Manjunath, M. Di Mare, C.M. Ouellet-Plamondon, and C. Bhojaraju, “Exploring the potential use of incinerated biomedical waste ash as an eco-friendly solution in concrete composites: A review,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 387, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131595.
• M.T. Al Biruni, H.S. Sarker, W.U.S. Charu, and T. Ahmed, “Sustainable use of medical waste incineration fly ash in compressed stabilized earth blocks,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 452, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.138886.
• C. Maschowski, P. Kruspan, A.T. Arif, P. Garra, G. Trouvé, and R. Gieré, “Use of biomass ash from different sources and processes in cement,” Journal of Sustainable Cement-Based Materials, vol. 9(6), pp. 350–370, 2020, doi: 10.1080/21650373.2020.1764877.
• Y. Zhuge, W. Duan, and Y. Liu, “Utilization of wood waste ash in green concrete production,” Sustainable Concrete Made with Ashes and Dust from Different Sources, pp. 419–450, 2022, doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-824050-2.00007-3.
• S. Altoubat, T.M. Junaid, M. Leblouba, and D. Badran, “Effectiveness of fly ash on the restrained shrinkage cracking resistance of self-compacting concrete,” Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 79, pp. 9–20, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2017.01.010.
• J. Lehmusto, F. Tesfaye, O. Karlström, and L. Hupa, “Ashes from challenging fuels in the circular economy,” Waste Management, vol. 177, pp. 211–231, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.01.051.
• N. A.A. El-Amaireh, H. Al-Zoubi, and O. A. Al-Khashman, “Hospital waste incinerator ash: characteristics, treatment techniques, and applications (A review),” Journal of Water Health, vol. 21(11), pp. 1686–1702, 2023, doi: 10.2166/wh.2023.299.
• Test method for leaching of trace elements from hardened concrete. Japan Society of Civil Engineers, 2005.
• S. Tanwani and B.A. Memon, “Trend Line Analysis of Weight Versus Compressive Strength of Concrete,” International Journal of Emerging Technology and Innovative Engineering, vol. 2(7), pp. 345–360, 2016.
• N. Karki, “Compressive Strength Comparison Between Plain Concrete and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Mixed Concrete,” KEC Journal of Science and Engineering, vol. 8(1), pp. 48–55, 2024, doi: 10.3126/kjse.v8i1.69265.
• R. Joshi, “Effect on Compressive Strength of Concrete by Partial Replacement of Cement with Fly ash,” International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology, vol. 4(2), pp. 315–318, 2017.
• S. Hedjazi, “Compressive Strength of Lightweight Concrete,” Compressive Strength of Concrete, vol. 11, 2020, doi: 10.5772/intechopen.88057.
• M.T. Webster and R.C. Loehr, “Long-Term Leaching of Metals from Concrete Products,” Journal of Environmental Engineering, vol. 122(8), pp. 714–721, 1996, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(1996)122:8(714).
• C. Eckbo, G. Okkenhaug, and S.E. Hale, “The effects of soil organic matter on leaching of hexavalent chromium from concrete waste: Batch and column experiments,” Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 309, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114708.
• S. Overmann, X. Lin, and A. Vollpracht, “Investigations on the leaching behavior of fresh concrete – A review,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 272, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121390.
• A. Bardi, Q. Yuan, V. Tigini, F. Spina, G.C. Varese, F. Spennati, S. Becarelli, S. Di Gregorio, G. Petroni, and G. Munz, “Recalcitrant compounds removal in raw leachate and synthetic effluents using the white-rot fungus Bjerkandera adusta,” Water, vol. 9(11), pp. 1–14, 2017, doi: 10.3390/w9110824.
• R.H. Rankers and I. Hohberg, “Leaching Tests for Concrete Containing Fly ASH - Evaluation and Mechanism,” Studies in Environmental Science, vol. 48, pp. 275–282, 1991, doi: 10.1016/S0166-1116(08)70411-4.
• P. Sharma and H. Joshi, “Utilization of electrocoagulation-treated spent wash sludge in making building blocks,” International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, vol. 13(1), pp. 349–358, 2016, doi: 10.1007/s13762-015-0845-7.
• X. Yuan, “Leaching Behavior of Heavy Metals from Cement Pastes Containing Solid Wastes,” IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, vol. 186(3), 2018, doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/186/3/012043.
• V.S. Vairagade, S.S. Uparkar, K.G. Lokhande, A.P. Kedar, S.D. Upadhye, and N.P. Mungle, “A Numerical Analysis of Green Sustainable Concrete Using ANOVA,” Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education, vol. 12(6), pp. 4605–4612, 2021.
• H. Abdul Razak and H.S. Wong, “Strength estimation model for high-strength concrete incorporating metakaolin and silica fume,” Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 35(4), pp. 688–695, 2005, doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2004.05.040.
• A. Raza, S.A.R. Shah, S.N.H. Kazmi, R.Q. Ali, H. Akhtar, S.Fakhar, F.N. Khan, and A. Mahmood, “Performance evaluation of concrete developed using various types of wastewater: A step towards sustainability,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 262, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120608.