Life cycle and durability based sustainability assessment of concrete incorporating municipal solid waste incinerated fly ash: An India‐specific study

Abstract

Alternative binding materials are environmentally beneficial but are underused in concrete because of the absence of integrated evaluations of structural performance, durability, environmental impact, and cost‐effectiveness. This study introduces an experimental‐analytical method to assess incineration fly ash (IFA)‐modified concrete, integrating mechanical properties, durability, life cycle analysis, and economic feasibility. Four mixtures were tested: control mix and 22%, 30%, and 40% ordinary portland cement (OPC) replacement with IFA, all with a water–binder ratio of 0.36. The mechanical properties and durability were assessed via resistance to chloride penetration, acid and alkali attack, and water permeability. Environmental and economic impacts were quantified using cradle‐to‐gate life cycle assessment and cost analyses. The performance indicators were integrated within a multicriteria decision‐making framework to enable a comparative evaluation of the investigated mixtures. The results indicate that concrete incorporating 30% IFA achieved the most balanced overall performance, attaining a 28‐day compressive strength of 47.0 MPa, alongside marked reductions in chloride permeability, acid‐induced deterioration, embodied greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and material cost relative to conventional OPC concrete. The findings show that IFA can supplement cement to create efficient, durable, and eco‐friendly concrete when optimally applied. The assessment methodology offers a strong foundation for sustainability‐focused decisions and supports safe and regionally relevant IFA in construction.