CONCRETE PRODUCTION

The continuous increase in cement production has raised serious environmental concerns due to its high energy consumption and carbon emissions. At the same time, large quantities of agricultural and wood-processing wastes such as plantain husks and sawdust are generated daily and often disposed of indiscriminately, contributing to environmental pollution. This study investigates the potential use of Plantain Husk Ash (PHA) and Sawdust Ash (SDA) as partial replacements for Ordinary Portland Cement in concrete production as a means of promoting sustainable construction practices. Concrete was produced using a 1:2:4 mix ratio, with cement partially replaced by a blended combination of PHA and SDA in equal proportions at replacement levels of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% by weight of cement. The workability of the fresh concrete was evaluated using the slump test, while compressive and flexural strength tests were carried out after 7, 14, and 28 days of water curing in accordance with relevant British Standards (BS EN) specifications. The experimental results indicated that workability decreased progressively with increasing replacement levels due to the higher water absorption characteristics of the ashes. Similarly, compressive and flexural strengths reduced as the percentage of replacement increased. However, concrete mixes containing up to 10–15% replacement achieved satisfactory strength values suitable for non-structural applications and certain light structural uses. The study concludes that Plantain Husk Ash and Sawdust Ash can be effectively utilized as supplementary cementitious materials in concrete at controlled replacement levels. Their use not only reduces dependence on conventional cement but also provides an environmentally friendly method of managing agro-industrial waste, thereby contributing to sustainable and cost-effective concrete production.

In our pursuit of sustainable solutions to address environmental challenges, the treatment and reuse of wastewater have gained significant attention. The automobile industry, renowned for its substantial water consumption and discharge, has emerged as a focal point for exploring innovative approaches to wastewater management. This study investigates the potential applications, benefits, and challenges associated with utilizing automobile wastewater in construction activities. The scope of work involved collecting samples from car wash facilities, analyzing chemical and mineral properties, preparing concrete mixes, and conducting tests using both potable water and automobile wastewater. Laboratory tests on the automobile wastewater samples demonstrated that key parameters such as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), chloride (Cl⁻), bicarbonate (HCO₃), and sulfate (SO₄) were within standard limits for concrete production. Notably, the setting time tests on cement molds revealed a significant 27.73% reduction in initial setting time and a 14.81% increase in final setting time using first wash compared to potable water. The use of second wash resulted in a more substantial 45.38% decrease in initial setting time and a modest 3.70% increase in final setting time. Slump tests correlated detergent concentration with higher values for the first wash. However, the compression tests on concrete indicated a decrease in strength, with a 35.96% reduction at 28 days against first wash and a more significant 54.75% reduction against second wash. In conclusion it is evident that for automobile waste water to be used for concrete production, it must undergo process of treatment. As recommendation, it is advised to implement effective treatment processes for automobile wastewater before incorporating it into concrete production, ensuring that the construction materials meet required standards and contribute to sustainable environmental practices in the automobile industry.