Dolomite-Based Concrete: A comprehensive review on mechanical properties

Abstract

Concrete, an extensively used material contributes to greenhouse gas emissions due to use of Portland cement (PC). The production of PC worldwide is approximately 4 billion tons annually accounting for 8% of global CO2 emissions. To address this environmental challenge and mitigate carbon footprint, various industrial waste such as Fly Ash, Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag, Metakaolin, Eggshell Powder, and Sugarcane Bagasse Ash have been employed to partially replace PC, alleviating disposal issues. A waste/byproduct of the dolomite business, dolomite powder is produced yearly in amounts of 1.75–2 million tons (MT), or 25% of the industry's total production (7–8 MT). The current paper intends to summarize the related research on the usage of dolomite powder as a PC replacement in relations to compressive, flexural and split tensile strength. A bibliographic analysis is done using VOSviewer providing relationships between the keywords and countries doing research on dolomite powder. Concrete incorporating dolomite exhibits enhanced mechanical properties, boasting a 5–10% increase in compressive strength, 6–12% higher tensile strength, and a 5–10% boost in flexural strength at a 10% dolomite replacement rate. This is because dolomite has a smaller particle size which fills the miso and macro pores improving the microstructure of concrete and decreasing the porosity Thus, the dolomite as a PC replacement increases overall performance and has proven to be a sustainable option for construction practices.