The Effect of Using Wastewater from Stone Industry in Replacement of Fresh Water on the Properties of Concrete

Abstract

This research presents an attempt of using wastewater from stone slurry waste in production of concrete. Several concrete mixtures were prepared by using tap water and stone slurry wastewater at different w/c ratios and replacement ratios of wastewater in substitute of tap water. Testing of concrete samples included slump, compressive strength, flexural strength and absorption. Test results showed reduction of workability (slump) at all w/c ratios and replacement ratios. The maximum compressive strength didn’t change significantly at w/c = 0.7 and 28 days of curing compared with compressive strength at w/c = 0.5 and 0.6. From linear regression of the experimental results, the results showed that at 20% replacement ratio of tap water with wastewater, the reduction in compressive strength was insignificant (not greater than 10% to 15%). Test results showed varying reduction of absorption at different w/c and replacement ratios, up to 62% at w/c = 0.5.