Replacement of Cement with Waste Paper Sludge Ash in Concrete Material

Portland cement is the most important ingredient of concrete and is a versatile and relatively high cost material. Large scale production of cement is causing environmental problems on one hand and depletion of natural resources on other hand. Paper mill sludge is a major economic and environmental problem for the paper and board industry. An enormous quantity of waste paper sludge is generated all around the world. In India, 0.7% of total urban waste generated comprises of paper sludge. Paper mill sludge is a major economic and environmental problem for the paper and board industry. The material is a by-product of the de-inking and re-pulping of paper. In functional terms, paper sludge consists of cellulose fibers, fillers such as calcium carbonate and china clay and residual chemicals bound up with water. This work examines the possibility of using waste paper sludge ash to produce a low cost concrete by blending various ratios of cement with paper sludge ash and to reduce disposal and pollution problems due to waste paper sludge ash. The innovative use of waste paper sludge ash in concrete as a supplementary cementitious material was tested as an alternative to fibre reinforced.