Waste Materials in Malaysia for Development of Sustainable Concrete: A Review

Abstract

This paper discusses on the availability of waste materials in Malaysia and their potential use as building materials in the local construction industry. The waste materials discussed include fly ash (FA), oil palm kernel shell (OPKS), rice husk ash (RHA), palm oil fuel ash (POFA), quarry dust (QD), recycled ceramic, and recycled coarse aggregate (RCA). The past research on the use of these materials shows that structural grade concrete can be produced. . Similarly, the use of FA, RHA and POFA as partial replacement of cement or additional cementitious materials can be used to produce low to medium strength concrete as well as high strength concrete (HSC). In addition, lightweight OPKS enables it in the production of lightweight concrete (LWC). Recent research on the use of FA, RHA and palm oil clinker (POC) to produce geopolymer concrete is also producing results. In general, the utilization of these waste materials in concrete leads to sustainable concrete and reduces environmental impact from the manufacture of concrete using conventional materials such as crushed granite and cement