Mechanical properties of pavement quality concrete with aluminium industry waste as a binder

Abstract

Utilizing industrial marginal materials in the production of concrete makes it economical by reducing the cost of cement and reduces the environmental risk associated with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) production. Aluminium Dross (AD) is an industrial by-product from aluminium industry obtained during resmelting of aluminium ore in the furnace at high temperatures. Dumping of this waste in landfill makes it difficult to facilitate large area required and causes nuisance to the surrounding environment. Also, it is required to minimize the use of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) due to higher energy consumption involved in its production. AD is pre-treated and tested by Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) to check its leachability. In this study, mechanical properties of concrete along with flexural fatigue behaviour are discussed with respect to partial replacement of AD for OPC. Strength properties of concrete at 15% AD replacement is comparable with that of control concrete. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of the concrete mix with 15% AD is taken to observe minor voids in comparison with the SEM image of normal concrete mix. Flexural fatigue behaviour is evaluated at varying stress levels and found that the concrete with 15% AD is satisfying the requirements to be used as Pavement Quality Concrete.