The article describes the results obtained by the authors in sludge dewatering through new processes and evaluating their performance. The research is part of sustainable development by valorizing the sludge and agricultural waste in composite materials with applicability in the constructions from rural areas. The main method of sludge dewatering tested in this research is vibratory sieving dewatering. The experimental research examined three variable parameters: initial sludge moisture, sieve angle, and the engine speed causing sieve vibration. A three-factorial experiment was performed with four values for each of the three parameters considered, and the results were processed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Absolute and relative dewatering depend the most on the initial sludge moisture and sieve tilt angle. In conclusion, it was found that dewatering by vibrating sieving can achieve an almost double range of values for absolute performance, compared to pressing dewatering. However, the efficiency of dewatering by pressing is superior to dewatering by vibratory sieving. As a matter of absolute values, the two dewatering processes that were studied and described in this article perform below the values achieved by the classical processes: natural, thermal, and mechanical.

In a global context where sustainability is becoming a priority in construction, this paper analyzes the use of composite materials based on clay and plant waste, offering an ecological alternative to conventional materials. This article analyzes the mechanical properties of composite materials made from clay with walnut shell inserts, shredded biomass from corn stalks, wheat straw, and wool waste. These materials are developed for sustainable rural construction. The study evaluates flexural and compressive strength based on measurements at varying insert concentrations. The results indicate that mechanical strength decreases as insert concentration increases. The materials are suitable for partitions and insulating walls, and in lightweight buildings without floors, they can be used as load-bearing walls if reinforced with wood or metal. Future research directions include improving the estimation of mechanical behavior, studying rheological characteristics under environmental conditions, and expanding the application of clay and plant waste composites.