Mechanical, Durability and Thermal Performance of Cementitious Composites with Industrial By-Products

Serious efforts are currently undertaken to produce sustainable composite building materials by exploiting industrial by-products. This study examines the use of industrial by-products, specifically limestone filler and silica fume, as alternatives to cement and fine aggregates (washed or non-washed sand), for the production of a novel sustainable cementitious masonry block. The research involved the design of various mixtures with different proportions of the aforementioned raw materials and the evaluation of their mechanical, durability and thermal performance. The findings reveal that, depending on the type of sand used (washed or non-washed), high volumes of limestone filler can be incorporated into the mixtures, without compromising the overall performance of the end-product. This approach not only promotes the use of waste by-product materials in the design and production of composite building materials, but also contributes to more eco-friendly and sustainable construction practices.