Durability of Soil-Cement Blocks with the Incorporation of Limestone Residues from the Processing of Marble

Bruno Rangel França,Markssuel Teixeira Marvila,Afonso Rangel Garcez Azevedo,Sergio Neves Monteiro,Euzébio Bernabé Zanelato,Fabio Da Costa Garcia Filho,Jonas Alexandre

doi:10.1590/1980-5373-mr-2017-1118

Bruno Rangel França, Markssuel Teixeira Marvila + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5373-mr-2017-1118

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Abstract

The great environmental impact caused by mineral production has forced mining and ornamental stone industries to acquire new concepts and technical solutions in order to develop eco-friendly and sustainable activities. In this context, this work aims to study the durability of soil-cement block with the incorporation of limestone residues from the processing of marble as an ornamental stone. Specimens were prepared with 30, 40 and 50 vol% of residues added to the soil-cement mixture and analyzed for their physical, chemical and mineralogical properties. After the curing period, the specimens were subjected to mechanical analysis and the established experimental program showed that the addition of residues in the mixture becomes feasible for the preparation of soil-cement blocks, exhibiting improved results when compare to a reference block without residues.

Highlights

In the last three decades, the ornamental stone sector has been one of the fastest growing industrial activities in Brazil
The following materials were used: sand clay soil from Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, Brazil, classified as per ABNT (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards) No 8 sieve (2.34 mm); limestone residues from the processing of the marble that was collected at the Polita Mármores industry, located in the city of Cachoeiro do Itapemirim, state of Espirito Santo, Brazil
The dry mud was further beneficiated by sieve to 0.074 mm according to the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards ABNT No 40

Summary

Introduction

In the last three decades, the ornamental stone sector has been one of the fastest growing industrial activities in Brazil. As a result of the great production of ornamental stone, tons of residues are generated and would occupy a great amount of open spaces. They are usually being discarded outside the industry, which contribute to environmental pollution. In this marble processing step, approximately 30% of slabs are transformed into limestone residues in the form of small particles and powder classified as inert and non-biodegradable[2]. The civil construction industry appears as the best solution to overcome this environmental issue and the incorporation of limestone residues in cement blocks can result in a cost reduction of the fabricated products since the residues are considered waste materials for the industry[3]

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