Abstract
This study analyzes the effect of using waste by-products generated in the process of granite cutting as part of the granular structure of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC). The manufactured concrete has a compressive strength greater than 115 MPa. This study substitutes 35%, 70% and 100% of the volume of micronized quartz powder (<40 μm) with granite cutting waste. This is an innovative study where the feasibility of using waste from granite quarries as a replacement for micronized quartz in UHPC has been analyzed. The results show an improvement in the workability and compressive strength of UHPC, for all substitution ratios. The flexural strength and tensile strength increase when the substitution ratio is 35%, and even the values obtained for 100% substitution are acceptable. In view of the results obtained in this study, granite cutting waste, instead of the micronized quartz powder usually used, is a viable alternative for the manufacture of expectedly more sustainable UHPC.
Highlights
In recent decades, the overexploitation of natural resources has reached unsustainable levels.Overexploitation depletes resources, destroys natural habitats and pollutes the environment
Zegardlo et al [3] and Gonzalez-Corominas and Etxeberria [4] analyzed the influence of using ceramic recycled aggregates on the properties of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) and high-performance concrete (HPC). They found an increase in the compression strength of 24% and an increase in the tensile strength of 34% of the UHPC, when 100% of sand was replaced with recycled ceramic waste, and improved properties of the HPC up to 30% replacement of fine aggregate with ceramic waste
Soliman and Tagnit Hamou [20] managed to improve the workability of UHPC and increase its compressive strength when 100% of micronized quartz was replaced with glass powder
Summary
The overexploitation of natural resources has reached unsustainable levels. Park et al [11] reported an improvement in the post-cracking flexural properties of UHPC with an increase of the fibres length It is not an ecologically sustainable material as it requires high cement contents, resulting in high energy consumption. By using blast furnace slag, as a partial substitute of cement or silica fume, the UHPC workability is improved without affecting its compressive strength. For a replacement ratio of 100% of micronized quartz, they achieved a compressive strength of 221 MPa, compared to 182 MPa of the reference concrete For all these reasons, and because the mining industry sector is second only to the building sector in the amount of waste it generates [22], this study explores the viability of using waste from a granite quarry as a partial or total substitute of micronized quartz to produce expectedly more sustainable.
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