Utilization of Paper Sludge in Cement Concrete as Partial Replacement of Cement and Fine Aggregate

Portland cement is the most important ingredient of concrete and is a versatile and relatively high cost material. Large scale use of cement is causing environmental problems on one hand and depletion of natural resources on other hand. This work examines the possibility of using waste paper sludge (hypo sludge and brine sludge) to produce a low cost concrete by blending various ratios of cement and fine aggregate (sand) with hypo sludge and brine sludge and to reduce land disposal problems due to waste paper sludge. The innovative use of hypo sludge and brine sludge in concrete as a supplementary cementitious and fine aggregate material was tested as an alternative to concrete. In this study hypo sludge and brine sludge was partially replaced from 3%, 5%, 7%, 10% and 12% in cement to get optimum for M30 and M40 grades of concrete and also hypo sludge and brine sludge was partially replaced from 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% in fine aggregate to get optimum point in concrete for M40 mix and tested for its compressive strength, up to 28 days of strength and compared with conventional concrete. This study was based on the comparison of hypo sludge concrete and brine sludge concrete with partial replacement of cement and fine aggregate respectively. The study results indicate that use of waste paper sludge ash in concrete has improved the performance of concrete in strength and economic aspect. The optimum strength was achieved at 7% when replaced with cement and at 15% when replaced with fine aggregate.