Evaluating the feasibility of blending fly ash and quarry dust in high-strength concrete to develop a sustainable concrete: A Study on the Mechanical and Durability Properties

Abstract

Abstract Due to the increasing demand for the mechanical properties of construction materials, High Strength Concrete (HSC) has been increasingly popular in recent decades. The raw materials utilized in the production of it consume energy and negatively affect the environment. There is a pressing need to protect the environment and conserve natural resources which are being affected by both cement manufacturing and aggregate production. In this research work, the mechanical properties of HSC blended with industrial wastes were assessed to evaluate the feasibility of incorporating industrial wastes into high-strength concrete. An attempt has been made to partially replace cement and fine aggregate in the concrete with fly ash and quarry dust, respectively, at different percentages. The workability, compressive strength, and flexural strength of the concrete, along with durability properties such as water absorption, porosity, density, acid strength loss, and acid mass loss, were investigated and reported. From the results, it can be inferred that utilizing fly ash and quarry dust up to 30% each into the high strength concrete has proved beneficial in terms of mechanical performance. Therefore, it can be concluded that replacing cement and aggregate with industrial wastes such as fly ash and quarry dust up to 30% into the HSC can be a sustainable alternative to the conventional HSC.