Evaluating the use of eggshell powder and sawdust ash as cement replacements in sustainable concrete development

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 1 - 21, 29.03.2025

Farhan Fahad , Kaysarul Islam Bhuiyan , Faysal Montasir Pritom Dey Md. Arif Arman Akash , Ajoy Kumer

https://doi.org/10.47481/jscmt.1667601

Abstract

Concrete, the most widely utilized material in construction worldwide, contributes significantly to
the consumption of natural resources and energy. The construction sector is a major source of waste
and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making it essential to improve the environmental impact of
concrete to address climate change and pollution concerns. Evaluating the environmental footprint of
concrete is crucial for advancing sustainable building practices. Cement, a key binder in concrete, is
particularly responsible for GHG emissions due to its energy-intensive production process. This study
applies the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, using SimaPro software and the Ecoinvent
database, to assess the environmental impact of concrete. A modified concrete mix was developed by
replacing Portland Composite Cement with Eggshell Powder (ESP) (60% by weight) and Sawdust Ash
(SDA) (40% by weight) at varying replacement rates of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%. The results showed
up to 20% for replacement cement with ESP and SDA improved compressive strength in a 28-56 day
period, with the highest strength growth rate of 29.58% observed for the mixes with replacement.
However, higher replacement levels of 30% and 40% showed limited strength improvement during
the same period. The enhanced compressive Strength and higher strength growth (compared to tra-
ditional concrete) are observed withare0-20 % replacement of cement s. This suggests that this blend
of materials could be used in projects with significant budget constraints, directly decreasing carbon
emissions associated with concrete production. This aligns with global sustainability goals and can be
used in projects aiming for green certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design). The study indicates that substituting cement with ESP and SDA reduces costs. This can sig-
nificantly benefit low-budget housing projects or areas with high cement prices, providing a direct
economic advantage. The environmental performance of the modified concrete was analyzed through
LCA following the ISO 14040:2006 framework, focusing on the cradle-to-grave impacts, including raw
material extraction, energy consumption, and water usage. One cubic meter of concrete was chosen
as the functional unit. The analysis revealed significant reductions in the endpoint impact categories,
including a 59% reduction in ecosystem impacts, 60% in human health, 61% in resource depletion,
59.79% in ozone depletion, and 54.32% in fossil fuel depletion. These results highlight the potential of
ESP and SDA as sustainable alternatives for improving concrete's mechanical properties and environ-
mental performance, supporting the development of more sustainable construction practices.

Keywords

Cement replacement, concrete, eco-friendly construction, eggshell powder (ESP), environmental impact assessment, life cycle assessment (LCA), sawdust ash (SDA)

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