OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development
Open-access peer-reviewed journal
https://doi.org/10.64211/oidaijsd190508
Benefit analysis of usage of Ceramic and Porcelain waste powder as Supplementary Cementitious Materials in interlocking paving block production
Krishantha H.M.B. 1, Gunathilaka A.M.L.N. 2
1, 2 Department of Civil Engineering, Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Sri Lanka.
1 Corresponding author: bkrishantha92@gmail.com / s19004068@ousl.lk
Volume 19, Issue 05, Pg. 105-112, 2026
Abstract: Concrete interlocking paving blocks are popular paving material for parking areas, walkways, gardens and rural roads. Due to its pervious nature and aesthetically pleasing appearance, popularity of using of concrete interlocking paving blocks as a paving material has increased during past few decades, both local & global contexts. However, escalation of cement prices, and unsustainable outcomes caused by excessive usage of cement has become a concern in concrete interlocking paving block production industry as well. The excessive CO₂ emission associated with cement production and considerably large embodied energy stored in cement during the production are two main factors that would lead to classify cement as an environmental unfriendly material in sustainable perspective. Hence, the introduction of partial replacement of cement by supplementary Cementous materials in this type of product is becoming a timely need. This study was focused on partial replacement of cement by ceramic and porcelain waste powder as a supplementary cementitious material and assessing the positive impact of it on production cost and sustainability. According to the test results, it was found that cement can be replaced up to 15% (by weight) by waste ceramic & porcelain powder. Also a percentage production cost reduction of 4.1% can be observed with this approach. The Embodied Energy reduction and Embodied Carbon reduction of proposed optimum alternative mix (mix having 15% partial replacement of cement by waste ceramic and porcelain powder) are 11.8% and 18.9%, respectively compared with conventional mix.
Keywords: Concrete interlocking paving blocks; Embodied Carbon; Embodied Energy; Supplementary Cementous Materials; Sustainability.
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