A Comprehensive Review of Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Sintered Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Utilizing Industrial Waste

Fly ash becomes dry as temperature increases and gets airborne. Thus, it becomes one of the major sources of air and water pollution. Apart from causing various diseases, it also leads to a reduction in the recharging of groundwater. Improper disposal is hazardous for health and environment due to the concentrated heavy metals. A viable solution for safe disposal of vast quantities of fly ash can be lightweight aggregates produced from fly ash through the sintering process. The concrete made from these aggregates is known as sintered lightweight aggregate concrete (SLWAC). SLWAC has emerged as a promising construction material with sustainability at its core, utilizing industrial waste materials to reduce its environmental footprint. This review explores the mechanical, durability, and microstructural properties of SLWAC, highlighting its performance in various environmental conditions and its potential for sustainable construction. The paper gathers and synthesizes research findings from various studies to offer insights into the properties such as fresh, mechanical, durability, and microstructure of SLWAC. It also tries to find the utilization of various industrial waste to make it more sustainable and environment friendly. In addition, challenges and opportunities related to SLWAC production and application are discussed, offering insights into the future of sustainable construction materials.