Performance of Dredged Sediment as a Replacement for Fine Aggregates in Concrete Mixture: Case Study at Sungai Pekan, Pahang

Department of Construction Management, Faculty of Technology Management and Business, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400, Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: padzliha@uthm.edu.my

Abstract

Dredging is essential to maintain suitable depth for shipping by removing dredged sediments from sea and river banks. It is also an important process to supply construction material. In Pahang, increasing flood cases is occurring due to increased sea and river bed level. Thus, dredging is needed to be performed in this location. In addition, the rapid growth of the construction industry requires a sustainable approach. The reuse of dredged sediments as construction material could be a sustainable approach. Therefore, this research aims to study the engineering properties of dredged sediments and to compare the strength of concrete made from dredged sediments with conventional concrete. The samples for this research obtained from the location of this study at Sungai Pekan. Laboratory testing was performed to determine the engineering properties of dredged sediments and compressive strength of concrete produced from the dredged sediments. The highest average compressive strength of the concrete cube produced from Sample 1 is 9.2 N/mm² for seven days and 11.9 N/mm² for 28 days curing period. Comparatively, Sample 3 has the lowest average compressive strength that is 2.1 N/mm² for seven days and 2.7 N/mm² for 28 days curing period. The strength that is required to be achieved is 14 N/mm² for curing seven days and 20 N/mm² for curing period of 28 days. In conclusion, the concrete cubes made from dredged sediment taken at the sampling area are unable to produce concrete that satisfies the minimum strength for the C20 concrete mix. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is the minimal potential use of dredged sediments taken from the location of this study for the production of concrete in the construction industry.