Evaluation of use of marble and granite cutting waste to the production of self-compacting concrete

Abstract

Due to the continuous storage of large quantities of marble and granite waste (MGW), generated during the processing of ornamental stones, researchers have been using this material in a sustainable way to reduce its adverse impacts on the ecosystem. In this study, the main objective was to evaluate the effect of using MGW on mechanical properties and durability of self-compacting concretes (SCC), as part of the fines required to ensure self-compacting characteristics. Also, it was investigated this material as a new possibility in the composition of a ternary cement modality. For this, an experimental program was developed with four SCC mixtures, in which tests were performed to determine the properties in the fresh state, hardened properties, durability, and microstructural analyses. The test results indicated that all mixtures complied the self-compacting requirements and the incorporation of MGW contributed to the stabilization of the concretes. The mixture with CPV-ARI cement and MGW incorporated as fine in the concrete, and the mixture with MGW both incorporated as fines in the concrete and in the composition of ternary cement CP-MMG did not present statistically significant differences for some results of the mechanical properties. Besides, these mixtures provided improvements and similar results of some durability and microstructural tests, respectively. In general, the different possibilities of utilization of the residue proposed in this study, generate an appropriate destination for MGW and propose a viable alternative for the reduction of clinker consumption in cement production.