The roles of biochar as green admixture for sediment-based construction products

Lei Wang, Liang Chen, Daniel C.W. Tsang, Harn Wei Kua, Jian Yang, Yong Sik Ok, Shiming Ding, Deyi Hou, Chi Sun Poon

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    181 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Routine navigational dredging generates huge quantities of marine sediment, posing significant environmental and economic burden. This research intended to explore the efficacy of wood waste biochar as a green admixture and assess the influence of different physico-chemical properties of dredged sediments on the mechanical performance of cement-based sediment products. X-ray diffraction and porosimetry analysis reflected that particle size distribution of sediments determined the pore structure formation and strength development. Thermal and calorimetry analyses showed that biochar incorporation slightly enhanced the cement hydration reaction, while its relatively large and brittle particles induced microcracks and weakened the strength of sediment products. Nevertheless, biochar addition enhanced immobilization of potentially toxic elements and organic contaminants, rendering the sediment products more environmentally acceptable. Hence, the innovative approach of this study can recycle dredged sediment and waste wood biochar to produce eco-friendly construction materials such as fill material and paving blocks.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number103348
    JournalCement and Concrete Composites
    Volume104
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2019 Nov

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2019

    Keywords

    • Eco-friendly construction materials
    • Engineered biochar
    • Green/sustainable remediation
    • Microstructure analysis
    • Stabilization/solidification
    • Waste vaorization/recycling

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Building and Construction
    • General Materials Science

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