Granite sludge (GS) is a by–product obtained in the process of cutting and polishing dimension stones. The study presents the attempts done to utilize GS collected from Jigani Industrial area as a partial to total replacement for sand used in the re–grading of soil to make it suitable in the preparation of Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEBs).
Three series of CSEBs were prepared with 0%, 30 % and 60 % granite sludge, which was used as a replacement of sand present in soil. All the blocks were tested for evaluating their engineering properties with ageing up to 5 years.
The properties evaluated were wet compressive strength, water absorption and durability (through 12 cycles of alternate wetting and drying).
Test results indicate that it possible to utilize granite sludge in the preparations of CSEBs as they have better engineering properties than the blocks without granite sludge.
The blocks with granite sludge have an early wet compressive strength of more than 3.5 MPa and long–term strength nearing 7.8 MPa; with values of water absorption of blocks being less than 10 %. They are also found to be quite durable and can be rated as good quality building blocks suitable for load bearing walls.
Test results indicate that the sludge derived from the granite cutting and polishing industries can be effectively used in the preparation of CSEBs.
Sustainable recycling of granite sludge by its application in the construction industry would not only solve the problem of disposal of huge quantities of granite sludge, but also lead to a cleaner environment that society desires.
Authors of the paper
- Nagaraj HB, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
- Anand KV, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
- Devaraj NC, Post Graduate student in Construction Technology, BMS College of Engineering
