Effect of marble powder waste on the properties of self compacting concrete

Abstract

The marble production industry generates a considerable amount of waste materials in Libya. Waste is generated in the mining, processing and polishing stages. The processing wastes are dumped, with a negative impact on the environment. However there is potential in the reuse of marble waste, particularly in the manufacture of concrete products. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of marble powder (MP), as a partial cement replacement in self-compacting concrete (SCC). Several SCC mixes were prepared with varying replacement of cement with MP. The properties of fresh SCC were determined through the slump flow, + T50 time, V-funnel, J-ring and L-box tests. In addition, hardened concrete properties including compressive strength, density, Young's modulus, stress-strain curve and Poison's ratio after 28 and 90-days were assessed. Results show that the fresh properties of SCC with MP cement replacement of up to 50% were in good agreement with specifications. As expected the compressive strength decreases with an increase in MP. The study confirmed that waste generated in marble manufacture has a great potential in SCC.