Experimental Characterization of Concrete Properties

with Partial Replacement of Scrap Ceramic Tiles

Abstract. Natural resource availability is rapidly decreasing around the globe as a result
of increased demand brought on by boosted infrastructure development as well as a rise
in the demand for concrete. Concrete plays a vital role in the development of cities all
over the Globe which creates harm to the environment. So far a huge part of scrap ceramic
tiles is used in disposal areas. Making use of these ceramic tiles wastes in concrete can
somewhat reduce environmental concerns. This study’s primary goal is to experimentally
examine the feasibility to use the already utilized ceramic tiles i.e. Scrap pieces from the
demolition of residences as an alternative for coarse aggregate in concrete. The procedure
consisted of gathering, cleaning, and shattering scrap ceramic tiles and use as a partial
substitute to coarse aggregate in M30 concrete and performing various tests such as the
Compressive Strength test, Flexure Test, and Split Tensile Test. Ceramic aggregate was
used in place of natural coarse aggregate in concrete at various weight percentages rang-
ing from 0% to 100%. For all the mixtures, the water-to-cement ratio of 0.45 was taken
into consideration. In comparison to ordinary concrete, the results demonstrated that us-
ing waste from ceramic tile manufacturing as coarse aggregate in concrete increased its
compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength to a certain limit and then
decreases with an increase in % of scrap ceramic tiles. Additionally, the use of waste
from ceramic tile manufacturing as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate in concrete
may help lower waste disposal costs and increase the sustainability of the building sector.

Keywords: Ceramic tiles, waste reuse, coarse aggregate, feasibility, compres-

sive strength, sustainability, demolished.

1 INTRODUCTION

In 2021, global tile production was approx. 18 billion square meters, up 7.2% from the
17 Billion square meters reported in 2020. While Asia's output increased by 4.9% to
13.6 billion square meters, accounting for 74% of worldwide output. This favorable
result was primarily due to increased output in India, China, and Indonesia. [1]Ceramic
tiles are being used extensively in buildings at the moment for various locations such
as in the flooring of rooms, washrooms, kitchens, etc. replacing cemented floors. The
demand for this has rapidly increased leading to the exploitation of natural resources
and environmental concerns.
In the same contest, Concrete is the most widely used material in the world after
water due to its strength, durability, and versatility. However, its advantages conceal
great risks to the environment and human health as vast amounts of natural resources
are utilized during production, leading emission of greenhouse gases. Humanity has
been ready to face up with this environmental drawback for several centuries in ex-
change for concrete's undeniable advantages. To reduce the dependence on natural re-
sources the components of concrete i.e. natural coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and
cement can be replaced by waste materials such as scrap ceramic tiles, marble, and
granite in different proportions.
Solid trash generated by building demolitions is growing daily in the modern con-
struction industry. At present, this waste is not recycled in any form, hence Waste from
the scrap ceramic tiles can be turned into practical coarse aggregate. Production of con-
crete with scrap ceramic tiles will be economical, and sustainable and reduce the de-
pendence on natural resources as well as problems associated with these scrap tiles
disposals. The use of scrap ceramic tile aggregate as a substitute for coarse aggregate
in concrete provides advantages in terms of cost and pollution reduction from the build-
ing sector. By including scrap ceramic tiles aggregate, which is easily accessible at a
very lower cost, the cost of production of concrete will notably reduced over traditional
concrete. Hence lowering the overall cost of construction, and pollution i.e. by maxim-
izing the use of construction waste. The characteristics of ceramic waste coarse aggre-
gate fall well within the range of values for aggregates used in concrete production. The
concrete prepared with the help of scrap ceramic tiles can be used at various locations
in constructions such as in the construction of pavements etc.

2 MATERIAL PROPERTIES

2.1 Cement
Cement is a fine powder composed of limestone, clay, and other minerals. When com-
bined with water, it forms a paste that binds sand and coarse aggregate together to pro-
duce concrete. Because of its strength, durability, and adaptability, it is often utilized
in construction. Throughout the experiment, ordinary Portland cement of 43 grades of
A Cement was used. Table 1 present below explains the properties of cement.

Table 1. Properties Of Cement

Sr. No Property Value

1 Specific Gravity (G) 3.15
2 Normal Consistency (C) 0.31
3 Initial Setting Time 40 min
4 Final Setting Time 480 min

2.2 Fine Aggregate

In this experiment, the fine aggregate used was sand which is found near river banks
and coastal areas. Because of its small size, fine sand is also often used in the making
of concrete and mortar, resulting in a smoother finish. It is an essential component in
the building sector because of its capacity to give structural stability and support.
 3

Table 2. Properties of Fine Aggregates

Sr. No Property Value

1 Specific Gravity (G) 2.65
2 Water Absorption 1%
3 Fineness Modulus 2.54

2.3 Natural Coarse Aggregate

Coarse aggregate is a type of construction material formed from crushed rocks like
granite or limestone. It is extensively utilized in building construction projects, bridges,
highways, and Expressways. Coarse aggregate has bigger particles than fine sand, with
sizes ranging from 5mm to 20mm. Because of its bigger size, it is appropriate for use
in projects that demand a high level of stability and endurance. It is frequently used
with cement and fine sand to form concrete, which provides the structural strength re-
quired to withstand high weights.
In accordance with the specifications, the aggregates were examined for physical
properties such as Water Absorption, specific gravity, and Fineness Modulus. Table-3
summarizes the findings of the following tests.

Table 3. Properties of Coarse Aggregate

Sr. No Property Value

1 Specific Gravity (G) 2.68
2 Fineness Modulus (FM) 2.26
5 Water Absorption 0.5%

2.4 Scrap Ceramic Tile Aggregate

The ceramic tiles used here were Scrap pieces of tiles from the demolition of residences.
The procedure consisted of gathering, cleaning, and shattering scrap ceramic tiles and
use as a partial substitute for coarse aggregate. The crushed tile aggregate retained on
12mm and passing from 20mm sieve are used. Ceramic aggregate was used in place of
coarse aggregate in concrete at various weight percentage (%) ranging from 0, 10, 20,
30, 40, and 50.

Table 4. Properties of Scrap Ceramic Tiles

Sr. No Property Value

1 Specific Gravity (G) 2.23
2 Impact Value 23%
3 Water Absorption 0.7%
3 Methodology
3.1 Casting of Specimens
Weight Batching was used during the manufacturing of concrete followed by mixing
to obtain a uniform colour and homogeneous concrete. Various types of mixes were
created by varying the percentage of scrap ceramic tile aggregate with natural coarse
aggregate. The Cube Mould used here was of size 150x150x150 mm. After casting
these cubes were left for about 24 hrs. to get set and then these were removed from the
casting cubical mould. All the specimens were placed in a water tank for curing and
were removed when tests were scheduled to be conducted.

3.2 Testing of Specimens

Fresh Concrete Property

Workability Test:- Workability indicates how quickly and easily a material may be
combined, moved, positioned, and compressed without segregation or severe bleeding.
Numerous elements influence workability, including the amount of water in the mix,
the type and quantity of admixtures, the size and shape of the aggregates, and the am-
bient temperature and humidity.
When concrete is not workable, construction work becomes quite challenging. Low-
workable concrete causes poor compaction, a risk of segregation, challenging site con-
ditions for handling concrete, and the development of honeycomb in concrete. Slump
test was performed to determine the Workability of the Concrete is shown Table-5.

Table 5. Workability

Sr. No Sample Mix CCA Content (%) Slump

1 S0 0 69
2 S1 10 74
3 S2 20 71
4 S3 30 66
5 S4 40 61
6 S5 50 55
 5

80 74
69 71
70 66
61
60 55
Slump Value(mm)

50

40

30

20

10

0
S0 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5
Sample Mix

Fig. 1. Results of the Slump Test

Hardened Concrete Properties:

Compressive Strength: Concrete compressive strength is the measurement of the
resistance of cement against gradual loading. The water-cement ratio, the kind and
quantity of aggregates, the curing circumstances, and the age of the material are some
of the variables that affect compressive strength. The compression test was performed
using cube specimens of size 150mmx150mmx150mm. At the 7 and 28-day marks,
measures of strength were taken. Using the average result from three samples, the
strength of concrete at various time intervals was calculated. The compressive strength
of concrete is determined using a compression testing Machine (CTM) that has a 3000
KN capacity. Given below is the formula for calculating compressive strength.
𝑃
𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ =
𝐴
Where:
P= Maximum Load applied (N)
A= Cross-Sectional Area (mm2)

Table 6. Compressive Strength Test

Sr. No Sample Mix CCA Content (%) 7 Days 28 Days

1 S0 0 25.35 36.21
2 S1 10 23.74 33.20
3 S2 20 22.10 31.10
4 S3 30 24.13 34.74
5 S4 40 21.84 30.80
6 S5 50 20.54 29.63
 .
40
36.21
Compressive Strength (N/mm²)

35 34.74
33.2 31.1 30.8
29.63
30
25.35 23.74
25 22.1 24.13 21.84
20.54
20
15
10
5
0
S0 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5
Sample Mix
7 Days 28 Days

Fig. 2. Compressive Strength of different samples after 7 and 28 days respectively.

Split Tensile Strength: This test is performed to find the tensile strength of cement.
A split tensile test was conducted on cylindrical specimens of 15cm diameter and 30cm
height at 7 and 28 days with curing. All the concrete specimens were tested using a
compression testing machine (CTM) having capacity of 3000 KN. The expression for
Split tensile strength is mentioned below.
2𝑃
𝑆𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ =
𝜋𝐷𝐿

Where:
P= Maximum Load Applied (N)
D= Diameter of the Specimen(mm)
L= Length of the Specimen(mm)

Table 7. Split Tensile Strength Test

Sr. No Sample Mix CCA Content (%) 7 Days 28 Days

1 S0 0 2.56 3.76
2 S1 10 2.46 3.61
3 S2 20 2.48 3.63
4 S3 30 2.53 3.67
5 S4 40 2.46 3.64
6 S5 50 2.41 3.62
 7

4 3.76 3.61 3.63 3.67 3.64 3.62

Split Tensile Strength (N/mm²)

3.5
3 2.56 2.53
2.46 2.48 2.46 2.41
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
S0 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5
Sample Mix

7 Days 28 Days

Fig. 3. Split tensile strength of different samples after 7 and 28 days respectively.

Flexure Test: The capacity of concrete to endure bending or flexure is measured by

its flexural strength. For the Flexure test concrete beam of size, 50x10x10cm was pre-
pared with and without ceramic tile aggregate tested. These samples were removed
from the mould followed by curing for 24 hours. Before testing the specimens were
taken out from the water and left to dry for around ½ hours and then the test was per-
formed with Universal Testing Machine(UTM).
𝑃𝐿
Flexural Strength =
𝐵𝐷2

Where:
P = Failure Load(N)
L= Length of the Beam(mm)
D = Depth at the point where the failure occurred (mm)

Table 8. Flexure Strength test

Sr. No Sample Mix CCA Content (%) 7 Days 28 Days

1 S0 0 3.68 4.50
2 S1 10 3.51 4.16
3 S2 20 3.34 3.91
4 S3 30 3.57 4.21
5 S4 40 3.21 3.96
6 S5 50 3.01 3.44
 5 4.5
4.16 4.21
4.5 3.91 3.96
Flexure Strength (N/mm²)

4 3.68 3.51 3.57

3.34 3.44
3.5
3.21
3.01
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
S0 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5
Sample Mix

7 Days 28 Days

Fig. 4. Flexure Strength of different samples after 7 and 28 days respectively.

Conclusion:

1. The available waste product in the form of debris from scrap ceramic tiles can be
used successfully to achieve concrete properties and promotes the sustainability of
natural resources. To achieve the suitability of scrap ceramic tile waste as a replace-
ment for coarse aggregate in concrete, M30-grade concrete was designed. Based on
the experimental investigation mentioned above compressive strength, split tensile
strength, and flexural strength we have reached the following conclusion:
2. Scrap Ceramic tile-based aggregate concrete can be useful since the experimental
studies show similarity with the properties of concrete obtained from the natural
coarse aggregate.
3. It is observed that the Specific gravity (G) of natural aggregate and Scrap ceramic
tiles aggregate was 2.68 and 2.23 respectively. The workability of concrete firstly
increases with the increase in Scrap Ceramic tile aggregate replacement and further
decreases to some extent.
4. The outcomes of the compression strength tests performed on the concrete samples
show that concrete compressive strength slightly decreases S1 and further increases
attaining peak valve S3 (24.13, 34.74) KN after 7 and 28 days respectively. Later
on, it gradually decreases with additional replacement when compared with regular
concrete.
5. Further, similar results were observed in the split tensile strength test and the Flexure
strength test. The tensile and flexure strength first decreases and gradually increases,
 9

attains peak valve at 30% replacement, and then gradually decreases with additional
replacement of natural coarse aggregate by scrap ceramic tile aggregate.
6. Based on the above conclusion, up to 30% of natural coarse aggregate can be re-
placed with ceramic coarse aggregate, which can be utilized creatively for a variety
of reasons, although using more ceramic coarse aggregate reduces the value of con-
crete's desirable qualities.
7. In comparison to traditional concrete, scrap ceramic tile aggregate concrete is a little
bit more affordable. Later on, more experiments can be conducted with various scrap
ceramic tile aggregate proportions to obtain more varied results and greater strength
characteristics.

References
1. Sekar, T., N. Ganesan, and N. V. N. Nampoothiri. "Studies on strength characteristics on
utilization of waste materials as coarse aggregate in concrete." International Journal of En-
gineering Science and Technology 3, no. 7 (2011): 5436-5440.
2. Sekar, M. "Partial replacement of coarse aggregate by waste ceramic tile in concrete." In-
ternational Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology 5, no. 3
(2017): 473-479.
3. Ghannam, Shehdeh, Husam Najm, and Rosa Vasconez. "Experimental study of concrete
made with granite and iron powders as partial replacement of sand." Sustainable Materials
and Technologies 9 (2016): 1-9.
4. Tadesse, Henok Tsegaye. "Investigation on the appropriateness of ceramic waste materials
at hawassa ceramics factory as partial replacement of conventional aggregate in concrete
making." In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, vol. 993, no. 1, p.
012123. IOP Publishing, 2020.
5. Otunyo, Amaziah Walter, and Uwakwe Paul Arinze. "Effect of Crushed Waste Ceramic
Tiles (CWCT) as Partial Replacement for Fine Aggregate in Concrete." American Journal
of Civil Engineering and Architecture 6, no. 3 (2018): 129-132.
6. Sharma, Manish, Md Imteyaz Ansari, and Nazrul Islam. "Study of Concrete Filled Unplas-
ticized Poly-Vinyl Chloride Tubes as Columns under Axial Loading." Journal of Mechani-
cal Materials and Mechanics Research 5, no. 1 (2022): 10-17.
7. Shivam Rawat, Pooja Patel, Shubham Pal, Satyam Singh Yadav, Shri Krishna, Manish
Sharma “Comparative Performance Evaluation of Fiber Reinforced Concrete & Conven-
tional Concrete” International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and
Technology , e-ISSN: 2319-8753, p-ISSN: 2320-6710,Volume:09, Issue: 05, (May
2020) pp. 3309-3313 https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.19686435
8. Singh, Parminder, and Rakesh Kumar Singla. "Utilization of waste ceramic tiles as coarse
aggregate in concrete." Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology
(JMEST) Vol 2 (2015): 3294-3300.
9. Vejmelková, E., R. Černý, M. Ondráček, and M. Sedlmajer. "Fine-Ground Ceramics as Al-
ternative Binder in High Performance Concrete." WIT Transactions on the Built Environ-
ment 112 (2010): 91-98.
10. Sharba, Amjad Ali Khudheyer, and Ahmad J. Ibrahim. "Evaluating the use of steel scrap,
waste tiles, waste paving blocks and silica fume in flexural behavior of concrete." Innovative
Infrastructure Solutions 5, no. 3 (2020): 94.