Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete with Silica Fume and Stone-Polishing Dust

Abstract

With the need for alternative sustainable building materials increasing day by day, utilizing industrial by-products to reduce the environmental impact of conventional concrete production has been of interest. Manufacturing Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) which is an energy-intensive process is one of the foremost contributors to carbon footprints in the construction industry. Many researchers have attempted to solve this problem with different pozzolanic materials and have discovered some of the best materials for replacing OPC which include silica fume (SF) and stone polishing dust (SPD). As a by-product of silicon and the ferrosilicon alloy Silica Fume, a pozzolanic material, and SPD, another by-product of the stone polishing industry, can serve as viable options to improve the mechanical properties and durability characteristics of conventional concrete mixes. Similarly, the use of natural fine aggregate in concrete degrades natural resources and the environment as well. As a partial substitute for fine aggregate, Granite stone dust (GSD), a by-product of granite processing, is a sustainability option. Utilizing GSD in concrete both mitigates waste disposal issues and economizes natural resources. In this study, the effect of SPD, SF, and GSD on the mechanical properties of the self-compacting concrete (SCC) is investigated. SPD and SF were used to replace OPC at levels of 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30% by weight and GSD was incorporated as a 15% replacement for fine aggregate. An experimental program was conducted to measure the compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength of SCC specimens cured under water at 7, 14, 28, and 90 days. The results show that by including these by-products the mechanical properties of SCC are greatly improved.