The influence of ornamental rock waste on mortar production

Abstract

The reuse of ornamental rock waste can indicate an important solution for reducing environmental impacts in civil construction, as it decreases the disposal of these materials in landfills, which generate environmental liabilities and storage costs, and potentially contaminate air and water due to their fine nature. Thus, the objective of this research was to incorporate different percentages of ornamental rock waste into mortar mixtures and analyze how the replacement of cement percentages with this component can influence the consistency and axial compressive strength of the mortar. It was observed that the consistency of the mixtures containing 5% and 15% of the waste was practically the same as the reference mixture with 0%, reaching a value of 210 mm. The results of the compressive strength tests indicated that strength decreases with the increase in the proportion of the component, with the mixture containing 5% waste being the most efficient, presenting strength close to the reference mixture at 7 days and 28 days and meeting concrete standards. This reuse can provide socio-environmental economic benefits by reducing harmful health consequences and environmental impacts, generating an alternative product that is economical, effective, and sustainable.