Performance of self-compacting concrete comprising granite cutting waste as fine aggregate

Abstract

Continuous stockpiling of granite industrial by-product enforced researchers to use this waste in a sustainable manner in concrete to reduce its adverse impacts on the ecosystem. Therefore, fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) containing granite cutting waste (GCW) were assessed in this study. The GCW was used at an increased step level replacement of 20% of fine aggregate (i.e. river sand) up to 100%. Slump flow, T500 time, V-funnel, L-box, and J-ring tests were performed to assess the fresh properties of SCC mixes, whereas, compressive strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, water absorption and water permeability tests were conducted for measuring the hardened properties of SCC mixes. Results of fresh properties tests for all of the mixtures were found within the satisfactory limit as per EFNARC standard except the mix prepared with 100% GCW. The incorporation of GCW in SCC mixes showed an increment in the compressive and flexural strength at 20% replacement level and decrement in both strength characteristics beyond 20% replacement. Moreover, even at 40% replacement level, the flexural strength was found to be higher with respect to the control mix. The better impermeability characteristics and higher ultrasonic pulse velocity values of granite modified SCC mixtures were found up to 40% incorporation of GCW as compared to the control SCC mix. The scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis also validated the results of hardened characteristics. Granite modified SCC mixtures showed satisfactory performance during fresh and hardened characteristics test, it was therefore inferred that GCW could be used efficiently to engender sustainable SCC mixes.