The Utilization of Waste Marble Dust as a Cement Replacement in Air-Cured Mortar

Nadhir Toubal Seghir,Krzysztof Ostrowski,Aleksandra Krolicka,Andrzej Żak,Mekki Mellas,Łukasz Sadowski

doi:10.3390/su11082215

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the possibility of utilizing waste marble dust (WMD) as a partial cement substitution in air-cured mortar (ACM). Three different levels of cement replacement were analyzed: 5%, 10% and 15% by cement weight. The specimens were manufactured in a local laboratory at an air temperature of 22 ± 2 °C and a humidity equal to 20 ± 1%. The chemical and physical properties of ordinary Portland cement and WMD has been found to be the most crucial parameters. A variety of macroscopic tests, such as apparent density, porosity and compressive strength, were proposed in order to explain the effect of utilizing the WMD on the ACM. To confirm the results of the macroscopic properties, thorough microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed. The obtained results of this study indicate that replacing cement with WMD affects the physical and mechanical properties of air-cured mortar. The apparent density and compressive strength decrease while the porosity increases.

Highlights

The leading factor influencing the quality of cement-based composites and their appropriate adherence is ordinary Portland cement
The utilization of waste marble dust (WMD) as a partial replacement of cement does not significantly affect the flow property of fresh mortar, where the results were found to be compatible with ASTM C270
The macro properties of mortars were affected negatively due to the incorporation of WMD and to the air-curing conditions that caused an incomplete hydration process in which the compressive strength and apparent density decreased, and the porosity increased

Summary

Introduction

The leading factor influencing the quality of cement-based composites and their appropriate adherence is ordinary Portland cement. The manufacturing of ordinary Portland cement requires a meaningful consumption of energy [1,2] and the production of enormous greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2 ), nitrogen oxides (NOx), black carbon (BC), and sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) [3], contributing to environmental pollution [4,5]. This treatment is an environmentally friendly solution [8,9,10]. Due to an excessive amount of very fine particles in dust, the voids in cement-based materials could be thoroughly filled. The particle size and chemical composition of this by-product allow this material to be treated as an attractive additive in cement-based material technology [11]

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