A comparative review on the sustainable utilization of oil-contaminated sand in concrete

The use of oil-contaminated sand in concrete is essential for sustainability and environmental purposes. The comparative characteristics of oil-contaminated sand are crucial to understand and optimize the use of this material, though several research gaps remain to be addressed. To date, few review papers have included recent comparative studies of the oil-contaminated sand and its effect on concrete. Therefore, this comparative review paper examines the impact of using oil-contaminated sand in concrete production. It focuses on how contamination affects sand, fresh and hardened concrete properties, structural performance, environmental and durability effects, microstructure and fiber impacts, sustainability, real-world and practical applications, challenges and solutions for existing challenges, and current research gaps and future research needs. The review synthesizes findings from experimental studies, theoretical models, and practical applications to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and benefits associated with this practice. Main findings include a reduction in fresh and hardened properties up to a certain limit. Even though the usage of oil-contaminated sand in concrete offers numerous challenges, nevertheless, future research directions and field applications hold promise for overcoming these challenges. Addressing the research gaps, such as performance of hybrid materials, optimized treatment method, and standardization of material quality in the construction industry, can lead to the potential of oil-contaminated sand usage for sustainable infrastructure improvement.