Experimental Investigation of Sustainable Concrete Made with Granite Industry By-Product

The granite processing industry, due to its sawing and polishing activities, is responsible for producing an enormous quantity of granite powder waste, herein referred to as granite industry by-product (GIB). GIB is a hazardous pollutant that poses a threat to ecosystems, thus emphasizing the urgent need to find a sustainable and technologically viable way of utilizing GIB and thereby minimizing its risks. The paper aims to assess the feasibility of GIB as a possible sand replacement in the manufacturing of concrete. At a 0.50 water-to-cement ratio (w/c), feasibility studies were performed and analyses were done for 10, 25, 40, 55, and 70% sand replacement by GIB in the manufacturing of concrete. Strength and durability of concrete with different percentages of GIB particles were ascertained by comparing the results of compressive strength, flexural strength, abrasion, shrinkage, permeability, carbonation, acid attack, chloride penetration, and corrosion tests with the results from a control concrete. Test results were ably explained by using auxiliary analyses such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The encouraging results proved the suitability of GIB concrete as a sustainable construction material. Optimal replacement level of river sand by GIB was found to be 25%. (C) 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.