ABSTRACT
The increasing production of sewage sludge and the stringent environmental regulations has resulted in a pursuit for novel techniques for sludge management. The present study investigates the utilization of sewage sludge as a partial filler material in the manufacture of Lightweight Aggregates (LWA). Experimental investigations were conducted on lightweight aggregates with different proportions of dried sludge, powdered glass, sand, and clay. The effects of different raw material compositions on the aggregate properties were evaluated based on specific gravity, bulk density, water absorption, and compressive strength. Addition of 10% of powdered sludge in the composition of LWA resulted in a compressive strength of 11 kg/cm2. Higher concentrations of sludge composition resulted in a decrease in strength of the aggregates drastically. It can be inferred that the clay-glass-sand blended sludge can be effectively utilized in the preparation of lightweight aggregates for non-structural activities.
