Granite quarry waste as a future eco-efficient supplementary cementitious material (SCM): Scientific and technical considerations

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production Vol. 148; pp. 467 - 476
• Main Authors: Medina, G., Sáez del Bosque, I.F., Frías, M., Sánchez de Rojas, M.I., Medina, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2017
• Subjects: Granite sludge; Mechanical behaviour; Microstructure; Supplementary cementitious materials; Granite sludge; Supplementary cementitious materials; Microstructure; Mechanical behaviour
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.048

The vast volumes of waste generated to quarry ornamental granite constitute both an environmental and a public health hazard. This study assesses the viability of designing new blended cements in which 10% or 20% of the clinker is replaced with granite sludge by analysing the effect of its inclusion on the chemical, rheological, mechanical and microstructural properties of the end product. The later age change in the pore structure of the new mortars induced by the slow pozzolanic kinetics of this supplementary cementitious material (SCM) translates into a narrow difference in the mechanical performance between these and conventional mortars. Despite that difference, the new cements are apt for use in construction, inasmuch as they are compliant with the requirements laid down for Type II/A and IV/A cements in European standard EN 197-1. •The granite sludge has been used as SCM in the design of the new blended cements.•The mortars designed compliant with the requirements laid down in European standard.•The amount of the portlandite is slightly less in the new blended cements.•The new SCM induces no changes in C-S-H gel product morphology.•Low concentrations of the waste can be regarded as feasible new SCM.