ABSTRACT

Industrial waste is an inevitable problem that is currently endured by most of the developing countries. Waste granite dust is one among the many detrimental industrial wastes originating from the granite manufacturing. The objective of the present study is to determine the optimum percentage of waste granite dust to be adopted in the manufacturing of Interlocking Concrete Block pavers (ICBP) by replacing sand with up to 30% waste granite dust. The mechanical properties such as water absorption, compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength are analysed along with other Non-destructive testing methods like ultrasonic pulse velocity test. Frictional behaviour is examined using skid resistance test and abrasion test. Microstructural studies are carried out using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive analysis X-Ray (EDAX) to validate the test results. The optimum percentage of granite dust is concluded as 25%, as inferred from the test results. Statistical analysis is executed to review its significance. Economical study affirms a cost saving of 5.5% per cubic metre of ICBP production. The inherent advantages such as strength enhancement, eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness of the waste granite dust make it an acceptable and sustainable alternate construction material.