Black magic for concrete: Using biomass and industrial by-products to create innovative sustainable construction materials

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Case Studies in Construction Materials

Publication Date

7-1-2025

Abstract

Sulfur concrete (SC), recognized for its sustainability and chemical resistance, faces limitations in mechanical strength and thermal durability. This study investigates the enhancement of SC through the incorporation of biomass-derived activated carbon (BAC) from corn husk and cob, substituting 1 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 7 % of carbide lime by weight. The BAC, characterized by high porosity (91 % carbon content in cob-derived BAC, 74.5 % in husk-derived) and a 100–200 µm particle size, was synthesized via pyrolysis at 400°C. Mechanical testing revealed a 23.9 % increase in compressive strength at 7 % BAC replacement, achieving 52 MPa, outperforming prior SC formulations (25–43 MPa). SEM/EDX analyses confirmed BAC's role in densifying the microstructure, reducing voids, and improving sulfur-aggregate adhesion. Durability assessments under 12 wet/dry cycles demonstrated enhanced resistance to moisture-induced degradation, with BAC-modified SC exhibiting negligible cracking and < 2 % mass fluctuation. The integration of agricultural waste-derived BAC not only elevates SC's structural performance but also aligns with circular economy principles by repurposing industrial by-products (sulfur from ADNOC) and agricultural residues. These findings position BAC-SC as a viable, high-performance alternative to conventional concrete in harsh environments, offering quantifiable advancements in sustainability and resilience.

ISSN

2214-5095

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Volume

22

Disciplines

Engineering

Keywords

Biomass, Sulfur Concrete, Sustainability, Sustainable Construction Material

Scopus ID

05002858516

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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