Granite quarry waste as a future eco-efficient supplementary cementitious material (SCM): Scientific and technical considerations

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.048
• Publication Date: 2017-02-07T07:01:53Z
• Authors: G. Medina; I.F. Sáez del Bosque; M. Frías; M.I. Sánchez de R...; C. Medina
• Keywords: Granite sludge; 0211 other engineering and technologies; Construcción; Ingeniería mecánica; Mechanical behaviour; 02 engineering and technology; 3313.04 Material de Construcción; Supplementary cementitious materials; Microstructure; 12. Responsible consumption

Abstract The vast volumes of waste generated to quarry ornamental granite constitute both an environmental and a public health hazard. This study assesses the viability of designing new blended cements in which 10% or 20% of the clinker is replaced with granite sludge by analysing the effect of its inclusion on the chemical, rheological, mechanical and microstructural properties of the end product. The later age change in the pore structure of the new mortars induced by the slow pozzolanic kinetics of this supplementary cementitious material (SCM) translates into a narrow difference in the mechanical performance between these and conventional mortars. Despite that difference, the new cements are apt for use in construction, inasmuch as they are compliant with the requirements laid down for Type II/A and IV/A cements in European standard EN 197-1.