RT journal article
T1 Analysis of the Mechanical Properties of Structural Ceramics Made from Aggregate Washing Sludge and Manganese Mining Waste
A1 Terrones Saeta, Juan María
A1 Domínguez, Vanesa
A1 Ramos, Daniel
A1 Romero, Emilio
A1 Asensio-Lozano, Juan
A2 Ingeniería Industrial e Ingeniería Civil
K1 mining waste
K1 circular economy
K1 structures
K1 mechanical properties
K1 modelling
K1 sustainability
AB The construction sector is presently among the most resource-intensive industries, driving a substantial body of research dedicated to the development of more sustainable materials to address these demands. A particularly promising approach within the framework of the circular economy is the repurposing of waste as a principal raw material for the creation of new construction products. Within this context, the primary aim of this study is to engineer ceramic materials for brick production using 100% waste-derived inputs, specifically aggregate washing sludge and manganese mining by-products. To evaluate the potential of these sustainable ceramic materials, an extensive investigation was conducted, encompassing both physical and mechanical testing, as well as a thorough characterisation of the waste inputs. For this purpose, a series of ceramic specimens were fabricated with varying proportions of mining residues and aggregate washing sludge, adhering to the conventional protocols employed in the manufacture of ceramic bricks. The results demonstrate that these sustainable ceramics exhibit a linear shrinkage reduction of up to 5% compared to traditional clay-based ceramics. Furthermore, they show water absorption levels—whether via capillarity, cold water, or hot water absorption—that are up to twice those observed in conventional clay ceramics, while maintaining comparable density values. This increased absorption, however, correlates with a reduction in mechanical strength at higher concentrations of manganese waste, yet the material continues to meet the minimum strength requirements as specified by industry standards for such products. In conclusion, this research introduces a novel, sustainable ceramic material that not only reduces economic and environmental costs but also adheres to the required performance criteria for construction applications.
PB MDPI
SN 1996-1944
YR 2024
FD 2024
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/35143
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/35143
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 14-nov-2026