Thermal and Acoustic Features of Lightweight Concrete Based on Marble Wastes .

What is it about?

A large amount of industrial solid waste is generated from industrial activities worldwide. One such waste is marble waste, a waste generated from quarries which is generated in larger amount which needs attention. It is proved that this waste has a significant impact both on the people health and on the environment. Hence, research works are directed towards addressing usage of waste marble power, the aim of this experimental investigation is to study the usability of sand obtained by crushing marble waste (MWS) on the mixing of lightweight concrete based on expanded perlite aggregate (EPA). First, the mechanical, chemical, and physical properties of marble waste sand and expanded perlite aggregate were determined after which different mixtures of concrete are prepared by varying the percentage of EPA (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%), in order to find the optimum mixture focussing on obtaining best hydraulic properties. Also, in this work, the thermal and acoustic properties (thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity and sound reduction index at different frequencies) of the tested concrete samples were investigated. Results shows that it is possible to obtain thermal and acoustic insulation lightweight concrete by using sand obtained by crushing marble wastes. Also, addition of more than 20% of EPA aggregate in concrete, develops a thermal insulating lightweight concrete which possess capacity to store heat and produce better thermal performance. Concrete blend with a percentage of more than of 20% of EPA aggregate can be placed in the category of acoustic insulation lightweight concrete. In summary, cement based on MWs and EPA provides better workability and energy saving qualities, which are economical and environmentally beneficial and may result in decreased construction budget and improve a long-term raw materials sustainability.

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Why is it important?

Recycling industrial solid waste has recently become an important and effective way to address ecological and economic constraints worldwide [1,2,3,4,5]. As it is known, solid wastes are considered as an inevitable problem which human race is facing in recent decade [6]. Recently, bountiful research works done indicates that the main solution of this problem is to recycling these wastes in order, first, to meet the deficit between production/consumption ratio and, second, to protect the surround environment [7]. Many local and international regulations have emphasized the need to examine waste recycling and land filling methods to minimize its negative impacts. A review of the literature done by authors indicates that many investigations have focused on solid waste to reach more environmental efficiency and applicable materials and also solutions for utilizing them in productive way is discussed. The huge increase in the popularity of using environmentally friendly, low-cost and dangerous materials in the productivity of building materials has led to the need for a deep investigation of how to achieve this on a large scale by harnessing the environment as well as preserving the materials and confirming the requirements within acceptable limits according to cement and concrete specs.

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