Valorization of waste bamboo and seashells in thin-layer non-structural concrete for urban noise mitigation: Mechanical, acoustic, and environmental assessment

In today’s urban environments, finding sustainable and innovative construction materials is more important than ever. This study explores the use of waste bamboo and seashells as alternative fillers, as partial replacements for fine and coarse aggregates, in thin-layer non-structural concrete, aiming to enhance acoustic insulation while maintaining structural integrity. Various mix designs with 0%, 5% and 10% replacement levels were evaluated through physical, microstructural, and an in-house developed acoustic measurement setup simulating thin-walled structures. Results revealed that while bamboo reduced compressive strength by up to 44.6%, it significantly improved sound attenuation at higher concentrations. Seashell incorporation demonstrated minor improvements in compressive strength and effective noise reduction, particularly at 10% replacement. Acoustic performance metrics, including peak and equivalent continuous sound levels, indicated up to 9 dB greater attenuation compared to conventional concrete. These findings demonstrate the potential of bamboo and seashell in concrete for sustainable, cost-effective sound barriers in urban settings. Environmental assessment revealed that this approach diverts 120–240 kg of waste per cubic meter while achieving modest carbon footprint improvements, supporting circular economy principles in construction materials. • Novel sustainable concrete developed using bamboo fibers and seashell wastes. • Acoustic tests show up to 9 dB higher noise attenuation compared to plain concrete. • 5% waste incorporation preserves mechanical and acoustic properties with minimal losses. • 10% bamboo and seashell mixes substantially enhance soundproofing capabilities. • Innovative methodology to evaluate noise reduction in thin-walled concrete structures.