A Comprehensive Review on the Utilization of Foundry Waste Sand in Sustainable Construction Materials

Authors:

Mr. Gaurav Desai¹, Ms. Monica Shinde¹, Mr. Kedar patil¹, Mr. Ajit Gurav¹, Mr. Harshwardhan patil¹, Mr. Raviraj Gaikwad¹, Miss. Ankita Chougule¹.

¹Dr. D. Y. Patil Pratishthan’s College of Engineering Salokhenagar, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 416007

Abstract - The rapid expansion of the global metal casting industry has led to a significant increase in the generation of foundry waste sand (FWS), creating substantial environmental and waste-management challenges (Zhao & Gao, 2018). Foundry waste sand, consisting mainly of high-quality silica sand mixed with binders and contaminants, has historically been disposed of in landfills, thereby contributing to soil degradation and pollution (Siddique, 2014). Recent research has demonstrated that FWS possesses promising engineering properties that enable its utilization as a sustainable construction material in concrete, mortar, road sub-base layers, embankments, and various geotechnical applications (Basar & Aksoy, 2012). The potential reuse of FWS aligns with contemporary sustainability objectives by reducing natural resource extraction and promoting waste valorization (Choudhary et al., 2019). This review synthesizes findings related to the physical and chemical characteristics of FWS, its engineering behavior in different construction applications, and the outcomes of its incorporation as a partial replacement for natural sand (Singh & Siddique, 2012). The study further evaluates research methodologies, highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with FWS, and identifies critical research gaps requiring future attention (Khatib et al., 2013). Collectively, the findings suggest that, with appropriate treatment and quality control, FWS can contribute significantly to sustainable construction and circular economy practices (Zhao & Gao, 2018).

Key Words:  Foundry Waste Sand (FWS), Sustainable Construction, Silica Sand, Concrete.