UTILIZATION OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE MATERIALS IN CONCRETE PRODUCTION: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF SUSTAINABILITY AND MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE

Abstract

The utilization of industrial waste materials as partial or complete replacements for conventional concrete constituents has emerged as a critical strategy for addressing environmental challenges in the construction industry. This comprehensive review synthesizes peer-reviewed literature on the incorporation of waste materials including fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), silica fume, recycled concrete aggregates (RCA), recycled plastic, ceramic waste, and agricultural by-products into concrete matrices. The review evaluates mechanical performance (compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength), durability characteristics (water absorption, permeability, chloride penetration, sulfate resistance), and sustainability indicators (carbon footprint reduction, landfill diversion, resource conservation) across 68 peer-reviewed sources. Findings indicate that optimal replacement levels of industrial waste materials can achieve 7–41% enhancements in mechanical properties while simultaneously reducing CO₂ emissions by 16–68%. The review identifies critical research gaps, including long-term durability performance, standardization of waste material quality, and optimization of multi-waste blended systems. This paper provides evidence-based guidance for researchers, practitioners, and industry stakeholders on the technical viability and sustainability benefits of incorporating industrial waste materials into concrete for structural applications.