Sustainable Recycling of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash and Marble Waste in Unburnt Bricks and Concrete: A Path Toward Circular Construction Materials

Abstract This research investigates the sustainable use of sugarcane bagasse ash and marble waste in the production of unburnt bricks, brick prisms, and reinforced concrete beams. Given that cement production significantly contributes to global CO₂ emissions and sand mining causes severe environmental degradation, this study explores alternative materials to reduce the ecological footprint of conventional construction. Raw sugarcane bagasse ash, was dried and sieved (300 µm) for partial replacement for fly ash and cement. Simultaneously, marble waste was utilized as a substitute for fine aggregates such as river sand and crusher sand and tested to evaluate their mechanical and durability properties in both unburnt bricks and concrete. The optimal brick mix, containing 10% sugarcane bagasse ash and 10% marble waste, achieved improved compressive strength (5.65 MPa) and acceptable water absorption (< 20%), meeting the standards. Sugarcane bagasse ash - marble waste blended concrete also exhibited enhanced splitting tensile strength and superior resistance to acidic environments. Blended reinforced concrete beams demonstrated greater flexural strength compared to control specimens, confirming their structural applicability. Eventually, sugarcane bagasse ash and marble waste can effectively replace conventional construction materials without compromising performance, thereby promoting the sustainable reuse of industrial by-products and supporting eco-friendly construction practices.