The mechanical properties of recycled limestone made by using commercial production methods

Abstract

The objective of this research is to assess how the mechanical properties of recycled limestone is impacted by the newly applied casting procedure, that incorporates the use of vibration and rotation separately. A statistical analysis approach was uses to analyse the inconsistency within the blocks and variability from one block to another. This was done by conducting a set of tests on numerous samples that were extracted from the blocks. The results from these tests were used to extrapolate a mean value, a standard deviation and coefficient of variation. In view of this, the results will be compared to the baseline results obtained from previous research. By doing so it is possible to analyse how this casting procedure compares to the prototype laboratory casting methods. The results from both compressive strength tests and flexural strength test indicated that these mechanical properties are affected by both the cement content and the particle size found within blocks. Samples from block 2 having a cement content 4% larger than samples of block 1, resulted in a mean compressive strength of 9.31MPa, that is 26.5% larger than that of block 1. Block 4 made use of the same cement content within block 2, and made use of both fine and granular particle size. The mean compressive strength and mean flexural strength obtained by samples from block 4 was 15.3MPa and 2.5MPa respectively. The same results were 62% and 212.5% larger than the respective mean compressive strength and mean flexural strength of samples from block 2. The compressive strength and flexural strength of Globigerina limestone were similar to the test results of block 4.