Valorization of granite production dust in development of rich and lean cement mortar

Granite mining, cutting and processing generates huge amount of waste which is dumped in open landfills. The objective of this research is to fabricate mortar incorporating granite production dust which would be sustainable and durable. A detailed experimental outline was planned to fabricate 1:4 and 1:6 cement mortar mixes as partial/full substitutes for cement and river sand. Mechanical and durability investigations like workability, fresh density, compressive strength, wear resistance, ultrasonic pulse velocity and acid attack were conducted. On replacement of sand and cement by granite production dust it was observed that the workability of mortar mixes was lowered while the fresh density of the mortar was found to have decreased with incremental use of granite production dust in both the mortar mixes. The results of the compressive strength of mortar mixes showed improvement up to 50% replacement of sand. The wear resistance, ultrasonic pulse velocity and acid resistance of granite production dust mortar were also improved by the inclusion of up to 50% granite production dust as sand in mortar. However, on replacement of cement by granite production dust all the investigated properties were severely impacted due to absence of binding agent.