Feasibility Study on use of Jarosite and Waste Marble Slurry in Rigid Pavement Construction

Abstract

Abstract Jarosite is a hazardous waste material produced during hydrometallurgy operations in the extraction of zinc ore. This hazardous Jarosite is harmful to humans as well as aquatic life. It is not disposed of directly due to guidelines of the government of India which is why 2% lime and 10% cement by weight of Jarosite are mixed with Jarosite for making a non-hazardous material Jarofix. The waste marble slurry (WMS) is generated during the cutting of marble blocks in factories. This fine WMS creates environmental problems in nearby areas of factories. In this study, cement was replaced with Jarosite, and fine aggregates (river sand) were replaced with WMS in rigid pavement concrete. One control and four replacement mixes were cast in the laboratory. In the replacement mixes, cement was partially substituted by Jarosite at a 10% constant rate, and fine aggregates were partially substituted by waste marble slurry in varying percent of 0 to 30 at an interval of 10%. A water to binder ratio (w/b) of 0.35 is opted for mix design. All five mixes were tested for fresh and mechanical properties of rigid pavement concrete and results were analysed with a control mix. The laboratory experiment reveals that both Jarosite and WMS reduced concrete workability. The study does show, however, that mixing 10% Jarosite with conventional Portland cement and replacing 20% of Fine Aggregates with WMS improves the mechanical properties of rigid pavement concrete. These results indicate that jarosite and WMS can be substituted for cement and Fine Aggregates at precise percentage levels.