Concrete waste wash water recycling in geopolymer production – alkaline activated mortar
			
	
 
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				1
				Water Resources and Environmental Management, Al-Balqa Applied University, Salt 19385, Jordan
				 
			 
						
				2
				Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
				 
			 
										
				
				
			
			These authors had equal contribution to this work
			 
		 		
				
		
		 
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
							
										    		
    			 
    			
    				    					Corresponding author
    					    				    				
    					Ayoup M. Ghrair   
    					Water Resources and Environmental Management, Al-Balqa Applied University, Salt 19385, Jordan
    				
 
    			
				 
    			 
    		 		
			
												 
		
	 
		
 
 
J. Ecol. Eng. 2025; 26(11):64-79
		
 
 
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ABSTRACT
Jordan faces significant water scarcity, with the ready-mix concrete industry being a major consumer of water and a contributor to environmental pollution. This study explores the recycling of concrete waste wash water for geopolymer production, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional Portland cement. The research investigates the optimal mix design by varying the ratios of waste wash water, metakaolin, sand, and fireplace ash across three stages, evaluating compressive and flexural strength, and analyzing microstructure and chemical composition.
The methodology involved preparing geopolymer mortar samples with different compositions, testing their mechanical properties at 7, 28, and 90 days, and conducting XRD, XRF, and microstructure analyses. The results revealed that a 50% replacement of freshwater with waste wash water yielded the best performance, with further enhancements achieved by incorporating 41.7% metakaolin, 1.7% lime, and 40% fireplace ash. Microstructural analysis confirmed the formation of dense calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel, contributing to improved strength and durability.
The findings demonstrate that concrete waste wash water and fireplace ash can be effectively utilized in geopolymer production, reducing environmental impact while maintaining high mechanical performance. This study provides a foundation for sustainable construction practices, addressing water scarcity and waste management challenges in Jordan and beyond