Sustainable Masonry: Mortar Containing Biochar and Recycled Aggregate in Concrete Blocks
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Authors
Mirza, Mohammad Gibran
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Civil Engineering , Sustainable Engineering , Masonry
Alternative Title
Abstract
The building and construction industry is the third-largest producer of CO2 in Canada. Additionally, emissions from this industry are expected to go up by more than nine megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2 eq) by the year 2030. As such, we need to find ways to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry. Any decrease in the emissions of carbon from the construction industry will help improve the long-term sustainability of the industry and also help the environment.
Biochar is an excellent way of achieving carbon reductions. Biochar is made from wood waste using the process of slow pyrolysis, and it can be mixed with cement in construction to create potential carbon sinks. This study will focus on biochar as a cementitious additive for cement mortar. Biochar is added to the cement mortar in different proportions of cement by weight (1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% 10% and 12.5%) to create small-scale specimens that are tested under compressive load after 7, 28, and 56 days. It is noticed that there is a slight reduction in strength as the proportion of biochar is increased when it is used as a cement replacement. Biochar also increases the absorption in cement mortar because of its ability to store water and release it slowly, which provides internal curing to the mortar, helping it gain strength over time.
The second part of this thesis examines recycled concrete aggregate for the production of concrete blocks. Ontario has one of the highest rates of production of concrete blocks in North America. In addition to using large amounts of raw material, concrete block fabrication produced concrete waste at the production facilities in the form of spillage and culled blocks that are not fit for use. This waste is generally sent to landfills. A novel way to reduce this waste is to reuse it to make new blocks. In this study, recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) procured from a block manufacturer is used to replace coarse aggregate in proportions of 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% by volume of aggregate. The blocks are cast in the Queen’s University Concrete Lab and are tested for compression after 28 days. Results indicate that the use of RCA in blocks does not affect the compressive strength adversely.
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CC0 1.0 Universal
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.