Scoria Powder: Revolutionizing Sustainable Concrete Construction

Cement, a key ingredient in concrete, is in high demand in the Arabian Peninsula. However, it is not only the most expensive material, but also has a negative impact on the environment. In light of growing global environmental concerns, researchers are now exploring alternative resources to minimize the cement industry's pollution footprint. One of the most effective methods to reduce pollution caused by the cement industry is to partially replace cement with volcanic scoria material in concrete production. Scoria is a naturally occurring volcanic material that is readily available in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the rift valley regions. Utilizing this local resource not only helps to reduce cement production costs and energy consumption but also contributes to curbing pollution. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and efficiency of incorporating scoria granules in concrete. Extensive research has been conducted to investigate the impact of scoria powder as a cementitious material. This includes a comprehensive review of various studies and an examination of its effects on physical, mechanical, and durability properties, such as thermal behavior, in comparison to conventional cement-based concrete. The findings of the investigation reveal that scoria powder is suitable as a supplementary cementitious material in concrete. Integrating this material into concrete production aligns with the green concrete production strategy. Scoria can be used as a partial replacement for cement, taking advantage of its local availability to save costs, energy, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. By doing so, it fulfills the fundamental objective of promoting global ecological concrete production. In conclusion, utilizing scoria powder as a sustainable alternative in concrete production offers a promising solution to address the challenges posed by the cement industry. It not only reduces pollution and energy consumption but also contributes to the overall goal of environmentally friendly construction practices.