Building blocks as infills: Current scenario and alternate materials

Abstract

Currently, all nations have taken major initiatives in developing the infrastructures such as express highways, power projects, industrial structures, multi-storeyed residential flats etc., to meet the requirements of globalization. Concrete plays a key role and a large quantum of concrete is being utilized in every construction project. The use of such huge quantity of concrete will lead to several environmental impacts as well as economical issues. To reduce the environmental impact, the important thing is to diminish the use of the natural constituents of the concrete by effectively utilizing the abundantly available industrial by-products. And to reduce the economy, the major initiative is to minimize the quantity of cement and aggreagates in concrete by partial substitution with suitable by-products and using lightweight technology. Hence this study is oriented towards designing a new mix for the production of foamed concrete, thereby producing a sustainable and greener concrete. Application of green concrete is an effective way to reduce environmental pollution and improve durability of concrete under severe conditions. Foamed concrete using quarry dust replacing the manufactured sand partially and with fly ash and GGBFS replacing cement partially is dealt in detail in this paper. It is observed that there is considerable increase in compressive strength with addition of quarry dust, fly ash and GGBFS.