Use of Contaminated Sand Blasting Grit for Production of Cement Mortars

Abstract

The influence of the industrial waste on the surrounding environment has been under surveillance of researchers for many years. Various industrial wastes that need to be stored and disposed of can contaminate water and soil. One of the industrial wastes that has to be disposed is the sand blasting grit or sand blasting residue. Sand blasting is a process of removing outer layers, paint or rust from steel elements such as bridge lattice or warehouse frames. Safe disposal of waste products is costly and time consuming. The study analyses the suitability of contaminated sand blasting grit for production of cement mortars. The waste material was acquired from a local company and it was used as a non-reactive aggregate. The study focuses on the influence of the amount of the waste material on the rheological and strength properties of produced mortars. The sand blasting grit was added as a partial or full replacement of natural sand. Results of performed tests show a potential possibility of using the contaminated sand blasting grit for production of mortars. However, an increase in the overall amount of waste product in the mortars was followed a by decrease of the strength. The addition of the grit also decreased the flowability of the mortar. Use of contaminated sand blasting grit for production of mortars allows reduction of the high costs of waste disposal and storage.