ABSTRACT
Use of traditional masonry practice demands a large volume of conventional materials which are energy intensive and have a greater impact on environment. Thus, attempts are required to explore various alternative techniques through which material, economic, and reduced carbon emissions can be achieved. Use of mortar for binding masonry units accounts for about 20–25% of total material consumption. Sustainable alternatives to natural aggregates such as natural soil, quarry dust, granite waste, marble polishing waste, manufactured sand, granulated blast furnace slag, and construction and demolition (C&D) waste, along with some industrial byproduct in combinations, have the potential to be utilised in mortars suitable for thin joint masonry.
This chapter attempts to discuss the potential alternatives to effectively substitute natural river sand or crushed stone aggregate (M sand) in mortar and to evaluate the effect of reduced joint thickness in improving masonry strength and efficiency, material, and cost savings. Utilisation of alternate materials resulted in reduced embodied carbon emissions of about one-quarter of conventional 1:6 cement mortar and promote circularity in construction. Eventually, the utilisation of alternatives in thin joint masonry manifests as a cost-effective, eco-friendly and efficient material and aids towards establishing a sustainable built environment through circularity and facilitates achieving net zero targets.
