Algae-Based Carbonated Cementitious Materials and Their Applications in the Concrete Industries

Abstract

This study explores how adding sargassum to concrete affects its compression strength. The research aims to evaluate the potential of sargassum as a sustainable material in concrete production. 84 mortar samples were prepared with pulverized sargassum, replacing the fine aggregate. Compressive tests were conducted on these samples after curing periods of 7, 14, and 21 days. The results revealed a noticeable increase in the concrete strength during the early curing process with 2.5% sargassum. For the 14 and 21 days, the control samples reached higher compressive strength than the samples with sargassum. The study concludes that sargassum could be considered for non-structural applications. Further research is recommended to optimize the mix design, investigate the longterm durability, and assess the possible impact of sargassum polymers in reducing CO2 emissions during curing, a final goal of this initial investigation.