Utilization of industrial, agricultural, and construction waste in cementitious composites: A comprehensive review of their impact on concrete properties and sustainable construction practices

The escalating global demand for concrete, coupled with the environmental impact of cement production, necessitates the exploration of sustainable alternatives. This paper aims to quantitatively evaluate the potential of industrial, agricultural, and construction & demolition (C&D) waste as supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs) or aggregate replacements in concrete. A comprehensive literature review assessed the mechanical, physical, and microstructural properties of concrete modified with these waste materials. Critical parameters such as compressive strength, flexural strength, workability, and durability were analyzed at various replacement levels. The results show that fly ash (FA, optimal replacement: 10–20%) can improve compressive strength by up to 30% at 28 days while reducing permeability and increasing long-term durability by 15–20%. Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag, GGBFS) at 30% replacement enhances compressive strength by 25%, and Metakaolin (MK, optimal replacement: 10%) can refine pore structure and increase strength by 40%. Rice Husk Ash (RHA) at 20% replacement improves compressive strength by up to 25% but decreases workability by 10–15%. Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA, 10–20% replacement) also shows strength gains of 15–20%, though it requires careful processing to maintain workability. Corn Cob Ash (CCA, 10% replacement) demonstrates moderate strength improvement of 10–15%. For C&D wastes, waste glass (10–30% replacement) reduces environmental impact and enhances compressive strength by up to 20%. Waste ceramic (10–50% replacement) improves compressive strength by 15–25% and durability by 20–30%. Waste rubber, primarily used for energy absorption at 5–25% replacement, enhances ductility by up to 50%, though it slightly reduces compressive strength by 5–10%. This review confirms that incorporating waste materials into concrete enhances its mechanical properties and reduces its environmental footprint. However, variability in material composition, optimization of mix designs, and long-term performance assessment require further research. The quantitative analysis provides clear guidelines for effectively utilizing waste materials in concrete, contributing to a more sustainable construction industry.