Application of agro-waste for sustainable construction materials: A review

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2013-01, Vol.38, p.872-878
• Main Authors: Madurwar, Mangesh V., Ralegaonkar, Rahul V., Mandavgane, Sachin A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agro-waste; Analysis; Building materials; Environmental aspects; Environmental impact; Green buildings; Physico-mechanical properties; Sustainable construction material
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2012.09.011

► Application of agro-waste for sustainable construction material design is reviewed. ► Physico-mechanical properties of sustainable construction materials are reviewed. ► Methods of production and environmental impact of several materials are studied. ► The application provides solution to conservation of natural resource and energy. The rapid urbanisation is creating a shortfall of conventional building construction materials due to limited availability of natural resources. On the other hand energy consumed for the production of conventional building construction materials pollutes air, water and land. In order to meet the ever increasing demand for the energy efficient building construction materials there is a need to adopt cost effective, environmentally appropriate technologies and upgrade traditional techniques with available local materials. Agro-industrial and other solid waste disposal is another serious issue of concern in developing countries. The present paper explores the potential application of agro-waste as the ingredient for alternate sustainable construction materials. Based on the availability of agro-waste materials, sustainable construction materials are evaluated for their physico-mechanical properties, methods of production and environmental impact. The application of agro-waste for sustainable construction materials provides a solution which offers reduction in natural resource use as well as energy.