Laboratory study on mechanical properties of self compacting concrete using marble waste and polypropylene fiber

Abstract

The marble sector has produced a large amount of waste in recent decades, which is being increased substantially over time. Marble waste is an extremely polluting form of industrial waste, owing to its highly alkaline contentas well as its production and processing techniques, which have a significant health impact on the environment. Throughout the manufacturing process of marble, about 20–30 % of marble waste is generated. The current study examines the experimental results of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with marble waste as a partial replacement for fine aggregate and polypropylene fiber as an additive material. Hence, concrete is made of marble waste with three replacements of 20 %, 30 % and 40 % in natural fine aggregate and compared with the conventional mix. Polypropylene fiber with a constant ratio of 0.4 % is used in the SCC to increase the flexural and tensile strength. The workability of fresh concrete was tested and the total strength of cured concrete was investigated at 7 and 28 days of curing. Marble waste up to 20 % replacement for fine aggregate has given best compressive strength and Marble waste up to 40 % replacement for fine aggregate shows acceptable fresh concrete results which implies that marble waste can be used as a partial replacement of fine aggregate.