A life cycle and environmental impact analysis of sustainable concrete incorporating date palm ash and eggshell powder as supplementary cementitious materials
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Abstract
Abstract This study investigates the environmental and mechanical performance of eco-friendly concrete using date palm ash (DPA) and eggshell powder (ESP) as cementitious materials. Concrete mixes were made by substituting conventional cement with DPA at varying levels (10, 20, 30, and 40%) and adding ESP in dosages of 1, 2, 3, and 4%. Mechanical strengths and water absorption were evaluated. The optimal mix, comprising 20% DPA and 2% ESP, achieved a compressive strength of 57.53 MPa, demonstrating advancement of 41% over the control mix while reducing water absorption by 22.96%. A life cycle assessment, accomplished using ISO 14040 standards and ReCiPe Midpoint (H) methodology, evaluated environmental impacts across 18 categories for 1 m 3 of concrete. The results revealed a significant reduction in global warming potential by up to 15.46%, with Mix M8 (40% DPA) demonstrating the most substantial environmental benefits. Further analysis highlighted reductions in acidification, ozone formation, and resource scarcity. The analytical hierarchy process identified Mix M3 as the optimal design for structural applications due to its superior mechanical performance, while Mix M8 was preferred for non-structural, environmentally sensitive applications. This study demonstrates the dual benefits of DPA and ESP in enhancing sustainability and performance, promoting eco-friendly construction practices.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Recycled Aggregate Concrete Performance · Innovations in Concrete and Construction Materials · Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites
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Affiliations
Engineering Management Department, College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University , 11586 , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia
Structures and Materials Research Laboratory, College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University , 11586 , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia
School of Engineering, NICMAR University , Pune , 411045, Maharashtra , India
Department of Civil Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram , Guntur (Dt.) , 522502, AP , India
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Majmaah University , Majmaah , 11952 , Saudi Arabia
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