Investigating the evaluation of sustainable development indicators in the construction of building walls using lightweight concrete made from petrochemical waste

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
omid ahsani 1
M. Ghalehnovi 2
Mohammad Reza Javaheri Tafti 3
1 PhD Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Taft Branch, Islamic Azad University, Taft, Iran
2 Full Professor and Faculty Member, Department of Civil Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Taft Branch, Taft, Iran
10.48311/mcej.2025.99128.0
Abstract
The continuous use of natural resources, especially non-renewable materials, is one of the serious challenges of the construction industry in the path of sustainable development. This study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of using petrochemical waste in the manufacture of lightweight concrete blocks and to examine their performance from the perspective of sustainable development indicators (economic, environmental and social). Concrete samples were made with different cement ratios (175, 200 and 350 kg/m3) and their compressive strength was measured at the ages of 7, 14 and 28 days. The results showed that the sample with 350 kg cement had the highest compressive strength, equal to 6.2 MPa, which is higher than the minimum required value according to the Iranian National Standard 7782 (minimum 2.5 MPa) for non-load-bearing walls. The unit weight of the samples was also within the range of lightweight concrete and the thermal resistance was measured to be 1.0837 W/m2 Kelvin, indicating adequate thermal performance. SWOT analysis also showed that this type of concrete can be effective in achieving sustainable development goals by reducing the consumption of natural resources, recycling industrial waste, and reducing production costs. The widespread use of this type of lightweight concrete can reduce environmental pollution, improve the quality of life of residents, and increase energy efficiency in buildings.
Keywords
Lightweight concrete
environmental
SWOT method
sustainable development
petrochemical waste
Subjects
Modares Civil Engineering journal

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 21 June 2026