Development of High Strength Concrete Using Quarry Dust as Fine Aggregate

High strength and high performance concretes are being widely used nowadays all over the world. In developed countries, use of high strength concrete in structures today has resulted in both technical and economical advantages. In high strength concrete, it is necessary to reduce the water-cement ratio and which in general increases the cement content. To overcome low workability problem, different kinds of pozzolanic mineral admixtures and super plasticizer are used to achieve the required workability. A conventional M30 grade concrete mix design was made using ACI, BS and IS methods and based on the 7 day strength an optimum mix was recommended for experimental studies. In the designed mix sand replacement by weight of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% with quarry dust was considered. Concrete with these six different mix ratios were prepared and for the sake of exclusive reality, no plasticizer was used. Workability tests were conducted; relevant specimens were cast, cured and tested for strength and water absorption characteristics. Irrespective of the percentage replacement of sand with quarry dust, as the variations in the strength results were found negligible, a total 100% sand replacement with quarry dust was considered for further research.