A state-of-the-art analysis of fresh, mechanical, durability and microstructural characterization of wastewater concrete

The process of concrete production consumes an immense volume of water, with approximately one billion metric tons of freshwater being utilized for tasks such as aggregate washing, fresh concrete production, and concrete curing. The accessibility of clean water for the public is hindered by the limited availability of water resources, primarily due to the rapid expansion of industries such as tanneries, stone quarries, and concrete manufacturing. These industries not only consume substantial amounts of freshwater but also generate significant volumes of various types of waste. Therefore, the use of fresh water in concrete production should be minimized. Few studies have reviewed the production of concrete using wastewater to derive practical and applicable findings for the industry. Thus, this study thoroughly explores the physical and chemical effects of wastewater on concrete, examining aspects like durability, hardened properties, and rheological characteristics. It identifies key factors that can compromise concrete properties when exposed to wastewater. The scarcity of research on integrating wastewater into concrete production underscores the urgent necessity for innovative approaches and methodologies in this field. While the inclusion of wash water typically reduces the workability of fresh concrete, it often enhances its compressive strength. Notably, significant improvements have been observed when using tertiary processed wastewater, wash water, polyvinyl alcohol-based wash water (PVAW), and reclaimed water in the concrete mixing process. The application of tertiary treatment to wastewater resulted in a notable enhancement of compressive strength, showing increases of up to 7%. In contrast, wastewater treated through secondary methods experienced a decline in strength ranging from 9% to 18% over a period of six months. However, the use of reclaimed wastewater demonstrated an improvement in strength by 8% to 17%, depending on the concentration level ranging from 25% to 100%. In contrast, the utilization of secondary processed wastewater and industrial water has a minimal impact on the concrete's strength.