Use and application of water treatment plant sludge in civil construction

Bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Urban growth has intensified the generation of sludge from water treatment plants (WTPS), whose disposal faces technical, environmental, and economic challenges. Given the limited availability of disposal areas and increasing regulatory requirements, the reuse of this waste in construction has emerged as a viable alternative. This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis on the use and application of WTPS in civil construction, in order to identify the main areas in which this waste is employed. The adopted methodology combines quantitative and qualitative approaches, based on the analysis of documents published from 1990 to September 2023. The results show a significant increase in publications starting in 2015, reflecting the growing environmental concern and regulatory enforcement. The fields of environmental science and engineering account for most of the contributions, highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of the subject. The bibliometric analysis performed using VOSviewer identified frequent authors and keywords, with emphasis on sustainable reuse and waste characterization. WTPS can be used in the production of ceramic materials as well as in cementitious compounds. The collection of such data contributes to the consolidation of knowledge and the direction of future research.