Sustainable utilization of calcined granite powder as partial replacement for cement in concrete mixtures: A mechanical and environmental assessment

Abstract

The escalating environmental concerns associated with cement production have prompted to explore alternative materials for partial replacement, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry. This research investigates the incorporation of calcined granite powder, a byproduct of granite processing, as a sustainable supplementary cementitious material. The granite powder, which is conventionally disposed of in landfills, was collected directly from the industry and subjected to calcination to enhance its pozzolanic properties. The experimental investigation involved replacing cement with calcined granite powder in varying proportions (0-50%) in concrete mixes of M30 grade. Mechanical properties such as compressive strength, flexural strength, and durability were assessed to evaluate the performance of the formulated mixes. Remarkably, the mix containing 70% cement and 30% calcined granite powder exhibited a substantial increase in compressive strength by 7 %, flexural strength by 11 % and 13 % increase in tensile strength compared to the conventional M30 mix. Furthermore, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted using SimaPro software to analyze the environmental impact of the formulated concrete mixes. The results indicated that the concrete mix with 30% calcined granite powder and 70% cement not only demonstrated superior mechanical properties but also proved to be environmentally sustainable, exhibiting reduced global warming potential. This finding underscores the potential of calcined granite powder as a viable and eco-friendly alternative, contributing to the sustainable evolution of concrete production.