Effects of waste ceramic as cement and fine aggregate on durability performance of sustainable mortar

In the last 3 decades, the attention in consuming substitute materials such as solid wastes in construction has grown continuously. An extensive amount of waste ceramic is being generated all around the world. These wastes are mostly sent to the landfill without considering recycling option. Such waste ceramic in the powder and fine particle forms has good potential in the infrastructure industry. In this study, the strength and durability properties of a mortar comprising ceramic waste powder as supplementary cementing material and ceramic particles were investigated. Properties studied include workability, compressive and tensile strengths, chloride and sulfate resistance. The effect of waste ceramic was also assessed by using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. It was observed that the utilization of waste ceramic in both forms of binder and fine aggregate significantly improved the compressive and splitting tensile strengths and higher resistance against chloride and sulfate attacks. The microstructure of the mortar was further enhanced by replacing ceramic waste powder and fine aggregates. It, therefore, caused in the higher crystalline formation and reduction in porosity and cracks in addition to eliminating the spalling behavior of mortar specimens exposed to chloride and sulfate attacks