Impact of Ceramic Insulator Waste as Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate in Concrete: An Experimental Study and Evaluation of Mechanical Properties

This study investigates the use of ceramic insulator waste (CIW) as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate in concrete, along with the effects of curing conditions on the mechanical properties of the resulting concrete mixtures. Concrete specimens with varying percentages of CIW replacement (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%) were subjected to compressive strength, flexural strength, and tensile strength tests at 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days. Additionally, the specimens were cured under both traditional water curing and acidic curing conditions to assess the impact of different curing environments on concrete performance. The results indicate a consistent increase in compressive strength, flexural strength, and tensile strength of concrete with increasing CIW replacement by up to 4%, regardless of the curing method. However, beyond the 4% replacement threshold, there is a slight decline in mechanical properties. Furthermore, the study highlights the necessity of optimizing mix proportions and implementing quality control measures to mitigate the negative effects of higher CIW replacement ratios. These steps are essential to ensure the durability and structural integrity of concrete structures. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable construction materials and provides valuable insights for engineers and researchers aiming to develop environmentally friendly and structurally sound concrete mixtures.