Use of Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum, Construction and Demolition Waste, and Oil Palm Waste Trunks to Produce Concrete Bricks

Abstract

This research aims to study the utilization of waste from power plants, construction and demolition, and agriculture by varying the ratios of flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, construction and demolition waste (CDW), and oil palm trunks (OPT) in concrete production. This research used these as the raw materials for the production of concrete bricks of 15 × 15 × 15 cm. There were 12 ratios of concrete brick, fixing 5.5 wt% of FGD gypsum to replace Portland cement and substituting coarse sand with 0 wt%, 25 wt%, 50 wt%, or 75 wt% of CDW, and gravel with 0 wt%, 0.5 wt%, and 1 wt% of OPT. The initial binder:fine aggregate:coarse aggregate ratio was 1:2:4 and the water to cement ratio was 0.5, curing in water at room temperature for 28 days. Then, all concrete brick specimens were tested for compressive strength and water absorption. From the experiment, it was found that the highest compressive strength of concrete brick specimens was 45.18 MPa, which was produced from 5.5% gypsum without CDW and OPT, while 26.84 MPa was the lowest compressive strength obtained from concrete bricks produced from 5.5% FGD gypsum, 75% CDW, and 1% OPT. In terms of usage, all proportions can be applied in construction and building work because the compressive strength and water absorption were compliant with the Thai Industrial Standard TIS 57-2530 and TIS 60-2516.