Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Advances in Civil Engineering

Volume 2016, Article ID 1742769, 5 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1742769

Research Article
Study on Compressive Strength of Quarry
Dust as Fine Aggregate in Concrete

K. Shyam Prakash1 and Ch. Hanumantha Rao2

1
Department of Civil Engineering, PVP Siddhartha Institute of Technology, Kanuru, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh 520007, India
2
Department of Civil Engineering, K L University, Vijayawada 520001, India

Correspondence should be addressed to K. Shyam Prakash; [email protected]

Received 10 April 2016; Revised 27 May 2016; Accepted 30 June 2016

Academic Editor: Cumaraswamy Vipulanandan

Copyright © 2016 K. Shyam Prakash and Ch. H. Rao. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is
properly cited.

The concept of replacement of natural fine aggregate by quarry dust which is highlighted in the study could boost the consumption
of quarry dust generated from quarries. By replacement of quarry dust, the requirement of land fill area can be reduced and can also
solve the problem of natural sand scarcity. The availability of sand at low cost as a fine aggregate in concrete is not suitable and that
is the reason to search for an alternative material. Quarry dust satisfies the reason behind the alternative material as a substitute for
sand at very low cost. It even causes burden to dump the crusher dust at one place which causes environmental pollution. From the
results of experimental investigations conducted, it is concluded that the quarry dust can be used as a replacement for fine aggregate.
It is found that 40% replacement of fine aggregate by quarry dust gives maximum result in strength than normal concrete and then
decreases from 50%. The compressive strength is quantified for varying percentage and grades of concrete by replacement of sand
with quarry dust.

1. Introduction study the effects of quarry dust addition in normal concrete

and to assess the rate of compressive strength development.
Quarry dust is a byproduct of the crushing process which is
a concentrated material to use as aggregates for concreting
purpose, especially as fine aggregates. In quarrying activities, 2. Literature Review
the rock has been crushed into various sizes; during the
process the dust generated is called quarry dust and it is The suitability of quarry dust as a sand replacement material
formed as waste. So it becomes as a useless material and shows that the mechanical properties are improved and also
also results in air pollution. Therefore, quarry dust should elastic modulus. The compressive strength achieved optimum
be used in construction works, which will reduce the cost by replacing fine aggregate with quarry dust in ratio of 60 : 40
of construction and the construction material would be as done by Hmaid Mir [1].
saved and the natural resources can be used properly. Most Felekoglu et al. [2] observed that the incorporation of
of the developing countries are under pressure to replace quarry waste at the same cement content generally reduced
fine aggregate in concrete by an alternate material also to the super plasticizer requirement and improved the 28 days’
some extent or totally without compromising the quality of compressive strength of SCC. Normal strength SCC mix-
concrete. Quarry dust has been used for different activities tures that contain approximately 300–310 Kg of cement per
in the construction industry, such as building materials, road cubic meter can be successfully prepared by employing
development materials, aggregates, bricks, and tiles. high amount of quarry waste. Sukumar et al. [3] found
The present research work mainly deals with the influence that the relations have been established for the increase in
of different replacement proportion of sand with quarry dust compressive strength at premature ages of curing (12 h to 28
on the properties of concrete. The present study is planned to days) for different grades of SCC mixes and are compared
2 Advances in Civil Engineering

with the IS Code formula for straight concrete as per IS: SP 23- Vijayawada (rural). The present investigations are aimed
1982. Ho et al. [4] explained that the granite fines can be used at studying the effect of quarry dust when it is replaced
in the SCC production. However, it is important to spot out with sand partially in concrete. The quarry dust samples
that, as a waste material, the properties of stone fines are likely collected from Paritala region were studied and compared
to vary with time. Then, after that, the fineness of granite in terms of geotechnical properties. The physical properties
fines could solve durability problems, such as silica-alkali of Zone II following quarry dust were used in compressive
reactions. These two issues would require to be addressed if strength study. The program involves casting and testing cube
the material is to be used with assurance. specimens in each set consisting of 3 cubes. The variation in
Utilization of quarry dust in concrete is recommended standard deviation of strength greater than 10 N/mm2 is not
particularly in regions where sand is not easily available considered for every set of the whole series. The cubes were
(Dehwah [5]). casted using standard cubes of 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm.
Muhit et al. [6] determined that passing from 200 mm Specific gravity of sand and quarry dust of 2.62 and 2.70 for
sieve is used as cement replacement whereas retaining from Zone II classified type is obtained. 53 grade cement is used for
100 mm sieve is used as sand replacement. Cement was the mix. Curing was done by conventional moist curing for
replaced with stone dust in percentage of 3, 5, and 7 percent. the concrete mix. Compression testing machine of 2000 KN
Similarly, sand was replaced with stone dust in percentage of capacity was used to test the cubes’ specimens. The set of
15 to 50 with an increase of 5 percent. Test result gives that series is as follows:
compressive strength of mould with 35% of sand and 3% of
cement replacing dust increases to 21.33% and 22.76% in that (a) In the first series, M30 grade of concrete with 20, 25,
order compared to the normal mortar mould at 7 and 28 days and 30 percentage replacement of quarry dust tested
for tensile strength which increased to 13.47%. for 3 days, 7 days, 28 days, and 60 days is studied and
Ukpata and Ephraim [7] identified the flexural and tensile the results are presented.
strength properties compared with those for normal concrete. (b) In the second series, M25 grade of concrete with 20,
Hence, concrete proportion of lateritic sand and quarry dust 25, and 30 percentage replacement of quarry dust
can be used for construction provided the mixture of lateritic tested for 3 days, 7 days, and 28 days is studied and
sand content is reserved below 50%. Both flexural strength the results are presented.
and tensile strength are increased with increase in lateritic (c) In the third series, M20, M25, and M30 grades of
content. concrete with 20, 25, and 30 percent replacement of
According to Soutsos et al. [8], the physical characteristics quarry dust by varying the water-cement ratio of 0.45
of recycled destruction aggregates may unfavorably affect the and 0.50 are studied and the results are presented.
properties of the blocks. However, levels of replacement of
quarried stone aggregates with destruction recycled aggre- (d) In the fourth series, M20, M30, and M40 grades of
gates determined that it will not have significant harmful concrete with 20, 30, and 40 percent replacement
effect on the compressive strength. of quarry dust with water-cement ratio of 0.45 are
It is observed that there is consistent increase in the studied and the results are presented.
strength of plain concrete when natural sand is fully replaced (e) In the fifth series, M20 grade of concrete with 10
by quarry dust (Chitlange and Pajgade [9]). percent increment up to 100 percent replacement of
Concrete containing quarry dust as fine aggregate can be quarry dust is studied and the results are presented.
effectively utilized in the construction industry with good
quality materials, appropriate dosage of super plasticizer, 4. Discussion on Results
appropriate mixing methods, and proper curing thereby
ensuring sustainable development against environmental (a) The compressive strength results of quarry dust concrete
pollution (Devi and Kannan [10]). (cubes) were obtained in the first series, where M30 grade of
The investigation proposes that the stone dust can be concrete with 20, 25, and 30 percent replacement of quarry
replaced up to 50% without any effect on mechanical and dust tested for 3 days, 7 days, 28 days, and 60 days is studied
physical properties and the economical saving will be 56% and the results are presented. The specimens were casted with
also as discussed by Nanda et al. [11]. conventional materials; that is, fine aggregate is natural river
The study of Ilangovana et al. [12] gives attention to sand with M30 grade by using ordinary Portland cement
physical and chemical properties of quarry dust with respect (OPC).
to requirements of codal provision which are satisfied. The With the increase in age of concrete, the compressive
100% replacement of sand with quarry dust gives better strength increases up to 30 percent replacement of quarry
results in terms of compressive strength studies. dust as a fine aggregate. The partial replacement of quarry
dust gave a 60 days’ peak compressive strength at 30%
replacement level. Figure 1 shows the compressive strength of
3. Tests on Quarry Dust M20 grade with varying age of concrete by replacement level
up to 30%.
Quarry dust is a result of crushers while doing quarrying (b) The compressive strength results of quarry dust con-
activities. Quarry dust was obtained from nearby quarries at crete (cubes) were obtained in the second series, where M25
the home places like Paritala region, Kanchikacherla mandal, grade of concrete with 20, 25, and 30 percent replacement of
Advances in Civil Engineering 3

Compressive strength of M20 up to 60 days Compressive strength of M20, M25, and M30 grade with
60
0.45 and 0.50 w/c

48.00

48.59
47.85
Compressive strength (N/mm2 )

47.26
43

44.30

44.30
50

41.19

Compressive strength (N/mm2 )

38.66 41
40 39

30.81
29.63

28.89
28.44

37
30

20.74
17.93 35

17.85
18.9

20 33
31
10
29
0 27
0 20 25 30
25
Percentage replacement 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Percentage replacement of quarry dust
3 days 28 days
7 days 60 days M20 and 0.45 M20 and 0.50
M25 and 0.45 M25 and 0.50
Figure 1: Compressive strength of M20 grade with change in age. M30 and 0.45 M30 and 0.50

Figure 3: Compressive strength of M20, M25, and M30 grade with

Compressive strength of M25 grade with 20%, 25%, and 30% w/c 0.45 and 0.50.
replacement of quarry dust for 3, 7, and 28 days
45
grade also was observed with varying age of concrete by
Compressive strength (N/mm2 )

40 replacement level up to 30%.

(c) The compressive strength results of quarry dust
35
concrete (cubes) were obtained in the third series, where
30 M20, M25, and M30 grades of concrete with 20, 25, and 30
percent replacement of quarry dust and also workability are
25 studied by varying the water-cement ratio of 0.45 and 0.50
and the results are presented.
20 When 40% sand is replaced with quarry dust, there is a
variation of 10% to 15% increment in compressive strength for
15 0.45 w/c and 0.50 w/c. The partial replacement of quarry dust
0 1 2 3 4
Number of trails gave a 28 days’ peak compressive strength at 40% replacement
level and decreases for 50% replacement. Figure 3 shows the
20% and 3 days 25% and 28 days compressive strength relation for both normal concrete and
20% and 7 days 30% and 3 days quarry dust concrete, at the age of 28 days for M30, M25, and
20% and 28 days 30% and 7 days
M20 grades of concrete for different w/c ratios of 0.45 and 0.5.
25% and 3 days 30% and 28 days
25% and 7 days
For M20 grade and w/c 0.5, conventional concrete work-
ability is found to be 0.95. For 20% quarry dust workability
Figure 2: Compressive strength of M25 with 20%, 25%, and 30% is 0.94. Further workability is decreased to 0.93 for 30%
replacement for 3, 7, and 28 days. replaced concrete. For 40% quarry dust concrete workability
is 0.90 and for 50% replacement of quarry dust concrete 0.89
compacting factor was observed.
quarry dust tested for 3 days, 7 days, and 28 days is studied For M25 grade and w/c 0.5, conventional concrete work-
and the results are presented. ability is found to be 0.98. For 20% quarry dust workability
With observation of 20% of quarry dust (7 days), the is 0.98. Further workability is decreased to 0.97 for 30%
average compressive strength is 29.62 N/mm2 whereas that replaced concrete. For 40% quarry dust concrete workability
for natural sand is 28.44 N/mm2 . For 25% quarry dust, the is 0.97 and for 50% replacement of quarry dust concrete 0.96
value increased to 30.81 N/mm2 . Finally, for 30% quarry compacting factor was observed.
dust, the strength increased to 32.88 N/mm2 . Hence, quarry For M30 grade and w/c 0.5, conventional concrete work-
dust can be effectively used to replace natural sand, without ability is found to be 0.97. For 20% quarry dust workability
reduction in the strength of concrete. The slight variation is 0.94. Further workability is decreased to 0.93 for 30%
is observed in compressive strength for 3 days’ and 7 days’ replaced concrete. For 40% quarry dust concrete workability
age in concrete. As the age of the concrete increases, the is 0.93 and for 50% replacement of quarry dust concrete 0.87
compressive strength up to 30 percent replacement of quarry compacting factor was observed.
dust also increases. The partial replacement of quarry dust (d) The compressive strength results of quarry dust
gave a 28 days’ peak compressive strength at 30% replacement concrete (cubes) were obtained in the fourth series, where
level. Figure 2 shows that the compressive strength of M25 M20, M30, and M40 grades of concrete with 20, 30, and 40
4 Advances in Civil Engineering

Compressive strength of M20, M30, and M40 up to Compressive strength of 7, 14, and 28 days for M20 grade
40% replacement of quarry dust 40

Compressive strength (N/mm2 )

60
Compressive strength (N/mm2 )

50 35

40 30
30
25
20
20
10

0 15
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Percentage of replacement Percentage replacement of quarry dust

M20 M40 7 days 28 days

M30 14 days

Figure 4: Compressive strength of M20, M30, and M40 grade up to Figure 5: Compressive strength of 7, 14, and 28 days for M20 grade
40% replacement of quarry dust. up to 100% replacement of quarry dust.

percent replacement of quarry dust with water-cement ration as the strength decreases. But the observation regarding
of 0.45 are concentrated and the results are presented. compressive strength of quarry dust when compared to sand
The observations also concentrated on variation of grades is nonlinear.
of concrete by replacement of quarry dust. The change in From the experimental study, it is concluded that the
grades up to 40 percent replacement increases the compres- quarry dust can be used as a replacement for fine aggregate.
sive strength. Figure 4 shows the compressive strength of It is found that 40% replacement of sand by quarry dust gives
varying grade and age of concrete by replacement level up to maximum result in strength compared to normal concrete
40%. The compressive strength of M30 grade possesses better and then decreases from 50%. The results proved that up
results than the M40 grade concrete. The observation here in to 40% replacement of sand by the quarry dust induced
this graph regarding the compressive strength up to 40% is higher compressive strength and the workability of concrete
the increases for the grade changes as M20, M30, and M40. decreases as replacement increases. Thus the environmental
(e) The compressive strength results of quarry dust effects and waste can be significantly reduced.
concrete (cubes) were obtained in the fifth series, where M20
grade of concrete with 10 percent increment up to 100 percent
replacement of quarry dust is concentrated and the results are Competing Interests
presented.
The study aimed to observe the compressive strength The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
properties of quarry dust by varying full percentage replace-
ment. The results show increase in strength up to 40 percent References
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