Preliminary Mechanical and Durability Characterization of Concrete with Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate by Olive Pit Ash
摘要
The integration of sustainable materials into construction is increasingly important to reduce the environmental impact of cement-based composites. This study explores the mechanical and durability performance of concrete in which natural sand is partially replaced by biochar derived from olive pits, a common agricultural by-product in Mediterranean regions. Concrete mixes with 4, 10, and 20% volumetric replacement of fine aggregate were assessed. All mixes proved satisfactory mechanical strength, with minor variations across replacement levels. This limited variation may be attributed to the small substitution volume and the unchanged content of cement and coarse aggregates. In terms of durability, all biochar mixes exhibited lower capillary water absorption compared to conventional concrete, indicating enhanced resistance to water ingress. These results suggest—at this stage—that olive pit biochar can be used as a partial sand substitute without significantly compromising performance, while supporting circular economy strategies and contributing to carbon sequestration.