Enhancing Concrete Properties through the Strategic Incorporation of Granite and Marble Dust as Sustainable Alternatives to Natural Sand

Abstract

Abstract Over the past 15 years, the diminishing availability of natural sand has prompted the exploration of alternative solutions in the construction industry. This paper investigates the viability of using crushed rocks such as granite, gneiss, dolerite, and basalt to produce artificial sands as substitutes for natural sand. Focusing on the concrete production sector, our research explores the utilization of marble dust (MD) and granite dust (GD) to enhance concrete properties while addressing environmental concerns associated with the scarcity of natural sand. The study systematically examines the impact of replacing natural sand with varying percentages of granite dust and marble dust in M30 grade concrete. Experimental findings reveal that substituting 25% of the natural sand with marble dust yields concrete with superior compressive, flexural, and split tensile strengths compared to the reference mix. Additionally, incorporating 15% of granite dust demonstrates the strongest bond, emphasizing its potential in concrete formulations. Detailed tests, including compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength, bond strength, and stress-strain curve analyses, were conducted on M30 Grade concrete both with and without the inclusion of granite dust and marble dust after a 28-day curing period. The results highlight that the use of 25% granite dust or marble dust as a partial substitute for natural sand leads to high-quality concrete formulations, outperforming the reference mix. This research underscores the potential of granite and marble dust as sustainable alternatives in concrete production. The findings provide valuable insights for construction projects, ranging from roads to building materials like light aggregates, bricks, and tiles, emphasizing the economic and environmental benefits of incorporating these innovative materials into concrete formulations.