Reuse the ceramic glazed tile waste for the development of marine concrete modular

Abstract

Coral reefs are critical to marine ecosystems, offering essential services such as coastal protection, food security, and habitats for diverse marine life. Despite their importance, these ecosystems are rapidly degrading due to environmental stressors and human activities. This study addresses coral reef degradation by developing an eco-friendly, sustainable solution using ceramic tile waste in concrete modular designs to support coral regrowth. The primary objectives were to study Sri Lanka's coastal marine environment, assess the feasibility of reusing ceramic tile waste, and develop an optimized concrete mix for marine conservation structures. The methodology included an extensive literature review on coral transplantation, the role of concrete structures in marine conservation, and ceramic tile waste as an alternative material. Laboratory experiments explored the use of ceramic tile waste as a partial replacement for fine aggregates at proportions of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Key tests—such as sieve analysis, slump tests, compressive strength tests, and X-ray diffraction (XRD)—validated the safety and suitability of ceramic waste for marine environments. Field deployment of two modular designs, Coral Hab and Marine Condo, at Polhena Beach, Sri Lanka, monitored coral growth and marine biodiversity. Results indicated that the optimal mix was achieved with a 25% replacement of fine aggregates using ceramic tile waste, providing structural integrity, environmental compatibility, and the required strength of 25 MPa. Incorporating foam concrete emerged as the most effective method, with 26% foam content identified as the optimal composition for cost efficiency, weight reduction, and improved surface quality. XRD tests confirmed the absence of harmful substances in the ceramic waste. Following this, additional efforts focused on reducing weight, improving porosity, and lowering costs. Field results demonstrated that the concrete modules supported coral colonization and enhanced marine biodiversity. These findings confirm ceramic tile wastes and foam concrete's viability as sustainable materials for coral reef restoration. The study contributes to both marine conservation and sustainable waste management by repurposing ceramic tile waste into innovative reef restoration solutions. Further research is recommended to expand the application of these materials and assess long- term impacts on coral regrowth and marine ecosystems.