The effect of waste from mineral wool manufacturing on the properties of concrete

Abstract

The article analyses the effect of the residues from mineral wool manufacturing (mineral dust) on the properties of concrete. Concrete mixes were made of cement, sand, gravel, superplasticiser, water and mineral dust generated as a residue stream in the manufacture of stone wool. Different compositions of concrete mix were designed where cement was replaced by mineral dust at 0 %, 2.5 %, 5 %, and 7.5 % by weight of cement. Tests were made to determine the following characteristics of concrete modified with different amounts of mineral dust: density, compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, water absorption rate, resistance to cyclic freeze-thaw action. The evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of the tested concrete revealed that modification of concrete with 5 % of mineral dust leads to higher density, ultrasonic pulse velocity, compressive strength and resistance to cyclic freezing and thawing and lower water absorption rate. Concrete modified with up to 5 % of mineral dust by weight of cement in the mix is durable concrete that can be used in engineering structures.