Enhancing the sustainability of high strength concrete in terms of embodied energy and carbon emission by incorporating sewage sludge and fly ash

Abstract This paper discusses the properties of dried sewage sludge (SS) and its influence on microstructure development HVFA concrete when used as a partial replacement binder material. A detailed characterization samples collected from treatment plant is carried out using XRF, XRD, TGA, FTIR techniques. mix designed for 50 MPa with 50% fly ash total content. Sludge ground to particle size 150 µ 75 replaced at levels 5%, 10%, 15% The strength activity index sample acceptable per standards. Taking mixes reference, fresh paste have been studied. Mechanical that define applicability various infrastructure projects are reported all studied mixes. EI, CI, COST unit compressive also determined comment environmental impact use SS in concrete. specimens decreases increase level SS. However, comparison OPC concrete, µm 5% mechanical within limit M50 mix. addition has lower impact, embodied energy, CO 2 emission, cost strength. But more than 10% resulted reducing CS, FS, STS by 11.17%, 6.23%, 6.99%. Graphical abstract