A bibliometric review of agricultural waste as coarse aggregates in sustainable concrete

Abstract

The study examines the integration of agricultural waste as coarse aggregates in concrete production to reduce the construction sector’s carbon footprint and promote circular economy principles. The study seeks to identify trends, gaps, and future directions in the field through a bibliometric analysis. The study adhered to the PRISMA guidelines to retrieve 870 papers published between 2003 and 2023 from the Scopus database. Following the screening process, 870 papers were selected.Data analysis was conducted using the R-based Bibliometrix package, focusing on publication trends, keyword co-occurrences, conceptual structure, and collaboration network. The findings revealed a significant increase in global research on sustainable concrete incorporating agricultural waste. India, Malaysia, and China emerged as the top contributors. Frequently studied materials include coconut and palm kernel shells as a potential replacement for traditional aggregates to enhance sustainability. In contrast, rice husk ash, palm oil clinker, and sugarcane bagasse were noted for their potential to be used as cementitious materials. Influential authors and institutions were identified, and strong regional collaboration networks were observed in Asia and Africa. Major research gaps include limited data on long-term durability, a lack of comprehensive life-cycle assessments, and the need for alternative binder systems compatible with agricultural waste. The findings offer practical insights for construction stakeholders, policymakers, and environmental planners by highlighting pathways to reduce the environmental footprint of concrete. The study supports the goals of a circular economy and advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration to address the multifaceted challenges in sustainable concrete innovation.