The experimental study of geopolymeric stabilized samples based on ceramic waste powder (CWP) and sodium hydroxide solution acting as an alkali activator was investigated in the present research to evaluate the possibility of geopolymeric stabilization of silty sand soil as a sustainable method for improving the mechanical properties of inshore sand soils. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) was employed to analyze and determine the chemical components of the CWP and natural soil. The effect of four factors on the unconfined compression strength (UCS) and failure strain (sigma f) of silty sand soil, including CWP content (0-24%), NaOH solution concentration (0-15 M), the curing time (7, 28, and 91 days), and the initial curing temperature (25C and 70(degrees)C), were investigated. The results demonstrated a substantial increase in both UCS and sigma f for geopolymeric stabilized samples in comparison to natural soil and the soil that was stabilized with 5% ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The UCS and sigma f values of the 28-day-cured optimal sample (CWP = 15% and NaOH solution concentration = 6 M) in comparison with natural soil increased from 0.080 to 2.22 MPa and from 2.31% to 5.45%, respectively. Moreover, the UCS value in this sample was 1.75, 1.81, and 1.29 times higher than the stabilized soil with 5% OPC for each curing time. Without an alkali activator, CWP addition to the soil had no effect on UCS at all curing times. However, when a 2 M NaOH solution was added to the soil without CWP, the UCS of this sample rose to 0.36 MPa after 7 days of curing. The UCS of geopolymeric stabilized samples experienced growth from 1.27 to 2.04 times by shifting the initial curing temperature from 25C to 70C. Through the use of energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra and scanning electron microscope (SEM) photomicrograph, the microstructure of stabilized samples was inspected. SEM photomicrographs corroborated the UCS test findings, and EDX analysis confirmed the high quality of the aluminosilicate gels' growth and production. To sum up, soil stabilization using CWP geopolymer is a cost-effective, environmentally friendly method that reduces the consumption of natural resources and energy.

Cement, the key ingredient in concrete, is responsible for 8% of the world's CO2 emissions. Thus, reducing the amount of cement used in concrete is highly desirable to lower the total embodied carbon in concrete manufacturing. Furthermore, an increasing amount of ceramic waste powder (CWP) is generated during the ceramics manufacturing process, which can result in severe environmental problems such as soil, air, and groundwater pollution. This paper reports the use of CWP as a cement replacement agent in concrete to reduce environmental pollution in both concrete production and CWP waste management fields. For this purpose, comprehensive laboratory work was carried out to replace different levels of cement with CWP. It was found that changes in compressive strength and water absorption value are within the acceptable tolerance when 20% CWP replaces cement. In addition, there was an improvement in thermal conductivity, and no significant damage to the mechanical properties of concrete after 30 min of fire exposure when CWP replaced 20% of cement was observed. Therefore, using up to 20% of CWP to replace cement in concrete manufacturing is feasible without compromising the essential properties of the finished products. The microstructural studies of the test specimens further proved that the added CWP was evenly scattered in the concrete matrix.