OPTIMIZING FINE AGGREGATE AND CEMENT REPLACEMENT WITH STONE DUST: IMPACT ON CONCRETE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

Abstract

The utilization of stone dust in concrete presents a promising avenue for reducing environmental impact through decreased dependence on traditional fine aggregate and cement components, primarily focusing on the properties of fresh and hardened concrete. This study delves into the direct integration of stone dust sourced from stone companies, particularly as random samples collected during the sawing phase of stone manufacturing. Through meticulous analysis, the replacement of stone dust is thoroughly examined to assess its influence on the fresh and hardened characteristics of concrete, aiming to optimize the mix for superior performance. Experimental investigations reveal that quarry dust can effectively substitute for fine aggregate and cement, albeit with the caveat that a comprehensive chemical analysis of the stone dust is imperative prior to integration to ensure compatibility with the concrete mix. Moreover, the study quantifies the compressive strength of concrete across varying percentages of stone dust, evaluating its impact on the concrete class. By analyzing replacement percentages ranging from 5% to 12.5% for fine aggregate and optimal cement replacement, the research explores mix design preparation, fresh property assessments, and hardened concrete sample evaluations, with a particular focus on compressive strength comparisons against reference concrete formulations.