In the quest for sustainable construction practices, a groundbreaking study led by Thalles Murilo Santos de Almeida, published in the REM: International Engineering Journal, has shed light on a promising alternative to traditional sand in concrete production. The research, focused on the mechanical properties and workability of concretes incorporating stone powder, offers a beacon of hope for the energy sector, which is increasingly under pressure to adopt greener practices.
The extraction of sand from riverbeds, a common practice in construction, has long been a source of environmental concern. The process, known as dredging, leads to heightened turbidity and alterations in watercourses, reshaping the original channels and disrupting their flow. This environmental toll has spurred the search for sustainable alternatives, and crushed stone dust has emerged as a viable candidate.
The study, conducted by Thalles Murilo Santos de Almeida, evaluated the performance of concrete with a characteristic compressive strength of 25 MPa, using both total and partial replacement of natural sand with crushed stone dust. The results were compelling. The compressive strength of the concrete with total replacement (100% crushed stone dust) was 36.85 MPa, while the partial replacement (50% crushed stone dust and 50% sand) yielded 30.31 MPa. These values were comparable to the reference concrete, which stood at 33.47 MPa. “The results indicate that crushed stone dust can be used as a sustainable alternative to natural sand in concrete production, either entirely or partially, without compromising the mechanical properties,” Almeida emphasized.
In terms of tensile strength, the concrete with total and partial replacement achieved 3.09 MPa and 3.23 MPa, respectively, closely matching the reference mix’s 3.31 MPa. However, the study also highlighted a challenge: total replacement of sand with crushed stone dust posed difficulties in the workability of fresh concrete, necessitating a higher dosage of superplasticizer. “While the mechanical properties are promising, the impact on workability needs careful consideration when opting for total replacement of the fine aggregate,” Almeida noted.
The implications of this research for the energy sector are significant. As the demand for sustainable construction practices grows, the energy sector, which relies heavily on concrete for infrastructure development, stands to benefit from this innovative approach. By adopting crushed stone dust as a sustainable alternative to natural sand, energy companies can reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining the structural integrity of their projects.
The study’s findings open the door to future developments in the field. As the construction industry continues to seek sustainable solutions, the use of crushed stone dust in concrete production could become more prevalent. This shift could lead to a reduction in the environmental impact of sand extraction, contributing to the preservation of riverbeds and watercourses. Moreover, the energy sector could see cost savings and operational efficiencies as the use of crushed stone dust becomes more widespread.
The research, published in the REM: International Engineering Journal, translates to “International Engineering Journal” in English, underscores the importance of innovation in sustainable construction practices. As the industry continues to evolve, the findings of this study serve as a reminder that sustainability and structural integrity can go hand in hand.