Optimum utilization of Quarry dust as partial replacement of sand in concrete

Sand collected from aeolian deposit is expensive due to unwanted cost of transportation from natural sources. Large scale exploitation of natural sand creates environmental impact on society. River sand is most commonly used fine aggregate in concrete but due to acute shortage in many areas, availability, cost & environmental impact are the major concern (Ahmed et.al., 1989). To overcome from this crisis, partial replacement of sand with quarry dust can be an economic alternative. In developing countries like India, quarry dust has been rampantly used in different construction purposes but replacement technology has emerged as an innovative development to civil engineering material. Design mix of M₂₀ grade concrete with replacement of 0%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% of quarry dust organized as M₁, M₂, M₃, M₄ and M₅ respectively have been considered for laboratory analysis viz. slump test, compaction factor test, compressive strength (cube, cylindrical sample), split tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, water absorption of hardened concrete. The durability of concrete was studied by immersing the concrete cube in 5% solution of MgSo₄, 5% solution of NaCl and 2N solution of HCl for 28 days and 91 days and results were compared with the standards to achieve the desired parameters.