Indian Streams Research Journal

Volume 3, Issue. 5, June. 2013

Available online at www.isrj.net

ISSN:-2230-7850
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

EFFECT OF QUARRY DUST AS PARTIAL

REPLACEMENT OF SAND IN CONCRETE

SUDHIR S.KAPGATE AND S.R.SATONE

Post graduate student in structural engineering K.D.K.College, Nagpur, India.
Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department,K.D.K.College, Nagpur, India.
Abstract:
Concrete plays the key role and a large quantum of concrete is being utilized in
every construction practices. Natural river sand is one of the key ingredients of concrete,
is becoming expensive due to excessive cost of transportation from sources. Also large
scale depletion of sources creates environmental problems. To overcome these problems
there is a need of cost effective alternative and innovative materials. Quarry dust is a
waste obtained during quarrying process. It has very recently gained good attention to
be used as an effective filler material instead of fine aggregate. Also, the use of quarry
dust as the fine aggregate decreases the cost of concrete production in terms of the
partial replacement for natural river sand. Design mix of M25grade concrete with
replacement of 0%, 20%, 25%, 30%, and 35% of quarry dust organized as M1, M2, M3,
M4 and M5 respectively have been considered for laboratory analysis viz. slump
test, compaction factor test, compressive strength ,split tensile strength and flexural
strength of hardened concrete. In the present paper, the hardened properties of concrete
using quarry dust were investigated.
KEYWORDS:
Quarry dust; workability; hardened concrete;
INTRODUCTION:
Continues research efforts have established concrete as a versatile material, concrete required for
extensive construction activity can be made available, since all the ingredients of concrete are of geological
origin. Concrete is an assemblage of cement, aggregate and water. In the production of concrete,
granite/basalt stone and river sand are used as course and fine aggregate, respectively although these
materials are usually available, at some places it is economical to substitute these materials by locally
available once. At the same time increasing quantity of crushed stone dust is available from crushers as
waste. The disposal of this is a serious environmental problem. If it is possible to use this crushed stone dust
in making concrete by partial replacement of natural river sand, then this will not only save the cost of
construction but at the same time it will solve the problem of disposal of this dust. On the other hand, the
advantages of utilization of byproducts or aggregates obtained as waste materials are pronounced in the
aspects of reduction in environmental load & waste management cost, reduction of production cost as well
as improving the quality of concrete. Quarry dust has been used for different activities in the
construction industry such as road construction and manufacture of building materials such as light weight
aggregates, bricks, and tiles. The use of quarry dust in concrete is desirable because of its benefits such as
useful disposal of byproducts, reduction of river sand consumption as well as increasing the
strength parameters and increasing the workability of concrete (Jain et. al., 1999). Attempts have been
Title :EFFECT OF QUARRY DUST AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF SAND IN CONCRETE.
Source:Indian Streams Research Journal [2230-7850] SUDHIR S.KAPGATE AND S.R.SATONE yr:2013 vol:3 iss:5

EFFECT OF QUARRY DUST AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF SAND IN CONCRETE

made to investigate some property of quarry dust and the suitability of those properties to enable
quarry dust to be used as partial replacement material for sand in concrete.
2. MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES
Cement
In the present study an ordinary Portland cement (OPC 53 grade) was used. The physical
properties of the cement tested according to Indian standards procedure confirms to the requirements of IS
10262.
Table 1. Physical properties of cement.

SR.NO PROPERTIES
1
2
3

Specific gravity
Initial Setting Time (minutes)
Final Setting Time (minutes)

RESULTS
OBTAINED
3.15
52
330

Fine aggregate
The river sand conforming to zone I as per IS-383-1987 was used for making reference concrete
and its specific gravity was found to be 3.18. The loose and compacted bulk density values of sand were
1455 kg/M3 and 1726 kg/M3 respectively.
Table2. Physical properties of fine aggregate.

SR.NO

PROPERTIES

1
2
3
4
5

Specific Gravity
Fineness Modulus
Water Absorption
Surface Texture
Particle Shape

RESULTS
OBTAINED
2.202
3.18
1.6 %
Smooth
Rounded

Quarry dust
The basic tests on quarry dust were conducted as per IS-383-1987 and its specific gravity was
around 2.5. Wet sieving of quarry dust through a 90 micron sieve was found to be 87%.
Table3. Physical properties of quarry dust.

SR.NO

PROPERTIES

1
2
3
4
5

Specific Gravity
Fineness Modulus
Water Absorption
Surface Texture
Particle Shape

Indian Streams Research Journal Volume 3 Issue 5 June 2013

RESULTS
OBTAINED
2.50
2.90
0.5 %
Rough
Fine powder

EFFECT OF QUARRY DUST AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF SAND IN CONCRETE

Indian Streams Research Journal Volume 3 Issue 5 June 2013

EFFECT OF QUARRY DUST AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF SAND IN CONCRETE

Coarse Aggregate
Crushed granite coarse aggregate conforming to IS 383-1987 of size 12 mm and down having a
specific gravity of 2.632 was used. The loose and compacted bulk density values of coarse aggregate were
1483 kg/M3 and 1680 kg/M3 respectively.
Table4. Physical properties of coarse aggregate.

SR.NO

PROPERTIES

1
2
3
4
5

Specific Gravity
Fineness Modulus
Water Absorption
Surface Texture
Particle Shape

RESULTS
OBTAINED
2.632
6.86
0.6 %
Rough
Angular

Water
Water is an important ingredient of concrete as it initiates the chemical reaction with cement, and
the mix water was completely free from chlorides and sulfates. Ordinary potable water was used
throughout the investigation as well as for curing concrete specimens.
3. METHODOLOGY
The split tensile strength was computed by using expression fct = 2p/ld, where fct is the split
tensile strength in MPa, p is the maximum compressive load on the cylinder (Newton) applied along
length of cylinder (mm) and D is the diameter.
Flexural strength was computed using the expression, fb = (pl/bd2) where fb is the flexural
strength in MPa, p is the maximum node applied (N), L is the span length (mm) that is the distance between
the line of fracture and the nearest support measured from the center line of the tensile side of
specimen, b is the width of the specimen (mm), d is the depth of specimen (mm).
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 RESULTS ON PROPERTIES OF FRESH CONCRETE
4.1.1 WORKABILITY (SLUMP VALUE)
The measured slump values of quarry dust with constant water/cement ratio i.e. w/c ratio (0.44)
are 45, 50, 53, 57, and 60 mm for different mixes such as M1 (0% quarry dust), M2 (20% quarry dust), M3
(25% quarry dust), M4 (30% quarry dust), M5 (35% quarry dust) respectively. The variations of slump
value with quarry dust percentage are shown in Fig-1. It is observed that the slump value increases with
increase in percentage replacement of sand with quarry dust for the same w/c ratio. Concrete does not give
adequate workability with increase of quarry dust.

Indian Streams Research Journal Volume 3 Issue 5 June 2013

EFFECT OF QUARRY DUST AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF SAND IN CONCRETE

Fig. 1: Variation of slump value of fresh concrete with quarry dust content.
4.1.2 COMPACTION FACTOR
The variation of workability is measured in terms of compaction factor with constant w/c ratio
(0.44). The values are obtained for different mixes such as M1 (0% quarry dust), M2 (20% quarry dust), M3
(25% quarry dust), M4 (30% quarry dust), M5 (35% quarry dust) are 0.83, 0.85, 0.86, 0.88, 0.91
respectively.

Fig. 2: Variation of compaction factor of fresh concrete with quarry dust content
4.2 PROPERTIES ON HARDENED CONCRETE
4.2.1 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
The results of compressive strength of cubes for (7, 14, 28) days curing are shown in Fig.3. It is
observed that the compressive strength of cubes at 28 days curing for mixture (M1) is 36.33 MPa for 53
grade concrete. Dust content increases to 20%, the 28 days compressive strength increases to a maximum of
38.23 MPa for 53 grade. For 25% dust content the 28 days compressive strength increases 39.23 MPa for 53
grades. As the dust content exceeds 35% the compressive strength decreases.

Indian Streams Research Journal Volume 3 Issue 5 June 2013

EFFECT OF QUARRY DUST AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF SAND IN CONCRETE

Fig. 3: Variation of compressive strength of fresh concrete with quarry dust content
4.2.2 SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH
The results of split tensile strength of cylinder for 7, 14, 28 days are given in Fig4. for 53 grade.
This displays the split tensile strength is 2.31 MPa,2.5MPa and 2.65 MPa respectively for 0% quarry dust
content at 7,14 and 28 days for 53 grade concrete, but the split tensile strength increases with the age of
curing (Aitcin, 1994).

Fig. 4: Variation of split tensile strength of fresh concrete with quarry dust content
4.2.3 FLEXURAL STRENGTH
The results of flexural strength at 7, 14, 28 days are presented in Fig.5. It shows that the flexural
strength of concrete mix also decreases with increase in dust percentage replacement. The variations of
flexural strength with age and with different percentage of quarry dust content are also shown. The flexural
strength at 28 days curing for mixture (M1) is achieved 5.11 MPa for 53 grade concrete.. The theoretical
flexural strength of 28 days curing as per the code IS-456, 2000 i.e.

Fig. 5: Variation of flexural strength of fresh concrete with quarry dust content
Indian Streams Research Journal Volume 3 Issue 5 June 2013

EFFECT OF QUARRY DUST AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF SAND IN CONCRETE

5. CONCLUSION
All the experimental data shows that the addition of the industrial wastes improves the
physical and mechanical properties. These results are of great importance because this kind of
innovative concrete requires large amount of fine particles (Aitcin, 1990). Due to its high fines of quarry
dust it provided to be very effective in assuring very good cohesiveness of concrete. From the above study it
is concluded that the quarry dust may be used as a replacement material for fine aggregate. Quarry dust has
been used for different activities in the construction industry such as for road construction and manufacture
of building materials such as light weight aggregates, bricks and tiles. From the various laboratory
investigations made for characteristics study of quarry dust concrete and based on the studies conducted as
explained in following conclusions are drawn.
1. Non availability of sand at reasonable cost as finer aggregate in cement concrete for various reasons,
search for alternative material stone crusher dust qualifies itself as a suitable substitute for sand at very low
cost.
2. Aggregates with higher surface area are requiring more water in the mixture to wet the particle surfaces
adequately and to maintain a specific workability. Obviously increasing in water content in the mixture will
adversely affect the quality of concrete.
3. The measured slump values of quarry dust concrete with constant water cement ratio 0.44 are found to be
45, 50, 53, 57 and 60 mm for different mixes such as M1 (0% quarry dust), M2 ( 20% quarry dust ), M3
(25% quarry dust) , M4 (30% quarry dust) and M5 (35% quarry dust ) respectively. It was observed that the
slump value increases with increase in percentage replacement of sand with quarry dust. The above slump
value correspond to low degree of workability, suitable for construction of tiles and bricks as per IS 4562000.
4. The measured compaction factor value for quarry dust concrete with constant w/c ratio (0.44) are found
to be 0.83,0.85,0.86,0.88 and0.91 for different mixes such as M1 ( 0% quarry dust ) , M2 ( 20% quarry dust
), M3 ( 25% quarry dust ) , M4 (30% quarry dust) and M5 ( 35% quarry dust ) respectively. The above values
shows concrete give adequate workability with the increase of quarry dust as fine aggregate. The above
compaction factor corresponds to high degree of workability.
5. The compressive strength of cubes at 28 days curing for control mix increases for 53 grade concrete but
strength reduces with the control mixture (M1) . The increase in dust content up to 30% increases
compressive strength of concrete, if the dust content is more than 30% the compressive strength decreases
gradually. But the compressive strength of quarry dust concrete continues to increase with age for all the
percentage of quarry dust contents.
6.The split tensile strength at 28 days curing for control mix M1 achieved 3.68 Mpa for 53 grades. Mixes
M2, M3, M4 and M5 showed reduction in strength in comparison with control mix M1. The increase in
strength from 7-28 days was 25% for control concrete.
6. REFERENCES:
I. Ahmed, E. Ahmed. and Kourd., A.E., (1989), Properties of concrete incorporating natural and
crushed stone very fine sand. ACI Material Journal, 86 (4), 417-424.
II. Aitcin, D. C. & Mehta, P. K. (1990). Effect of coarse aggregate characteristics on mechanical properties
of high performance concrete, ACI, materials Journal, 87(2), 103-107.
III. Aitcin. P.C. (2003) The Durability of high performance concrete: A review, cement &concrete
composites, 25(4-5), 409-420.
IV. Aitcin, P.C., Mico, B., Cook, W.D., & Mitchell, D. (1994), Effects of cylinder size & curing on the
compressive strength of high-performance concretes, ACI materials Journal, 91(4), 349-354.
V. Baalbaki, W., Ben Mokrane, B., Chaallal, O. & Aitcin, P.C, (1991). Influence of coarse aggregate on
elastic properties of high performance concrete, ACI materials Journal, 88(5),499-503.
VI. Babu K.K., Radhakrishan R., and Nambiar E. K. K. 1977 compressive strength brick masonry with
alternative aggregate mortar, CE and CR Journal, New Delhi, PP. 25-29.
VII. ConcCelik T, Marar K (1996). Effects of crushed stone dust on some properties of concrete, Cement
Concrete Res., 26(7):1121-1130.
VIII. De Larrard F, Belloc A (1997). The influence of aggregate on the compressive strength of normal and
high-strength concrete. ACIMater J., 94(5):417426.
IX. Galetakis M, Raka S (2004). Utilization of limestone dust for artificial stone production: an
experimental approach. Miner. Eng., 17:355357.
X. Gambhir ML (1995). Concrete Technology-Second Edition, Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing CoMPany
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EFFECT OF QUARRY DUST AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF SAND IN CONCRETE

Limited, New Delhi.

XI. Goble CF, Cohen MD (1999). Influence of aggregate surface area on mechanical properties of mortar.
ACI Mater. J., 96(6):657662.
XII. Nevillie AM (2002). Properties of Concrete Fourth and Final Edition,Pearson Education Limited,
Essex.
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admixtures on the strength and elasticity of concrete, Proceedings of the Conference on Construction.
XIV. IS10262:2009
XV. IS456:2000

Indian Streams Research Journal Volume 3 Issue 5 June 2013