Mechanical Properties of Green Paver Block with Textile Dyeing Effluent Sludge Admixture

The rapid growth of the construction industry has increased the demand for paving blocks, raising concerns about the depletion of natural resources. This study explores the use of Textile Dyeing Effluent Sludge (TDES) in green paver blocks to assess its mechanical properties—density, compressive strength, water absorption, and initial rate of absorption—and to determine the optimum mix ratio. Paver blocks with varying TDES content (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) were compared to control blocks made with natural sand and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Results showed that increasing TDES content reduced density and compressive strength due to the lightweight and porous nature of TDES. The TDS 5TDES mix, containing 5% TDES, demonstrated the best performance, achieving a compressive strength of 17.13 MPa and a density of 2161 kg/m3 at 28 days, compared to the control mix with 52.65 MPa and 2216 kg/m3. Water absorption and permeability increased with higher TDES content, with TDS 5TDES maintaining moderate absorption levels. These findings identify TDS 5TDES as a viable option for non-structural applications, promoting sustainable construction while addressing waste management in the textile industry. Further research is recommended to enhance mechanical properties and broaden the applicability of TDES-based materials.