Exploring the Impact of Alccofine and Quarry Dust on Compressive and Split Tensile Strength of Concrete

This investigation delves into the creative application of Alccofine—a cutting-edge, microfine substance—along with quarry dust, serving as partial replacements for cement and river sand in concrete blends, aiming to improve both the mechanical attributes and the environmental sustainability of the concrete. Alccofine, recognized for its pozzolanic activity, together with quarry dust—a residual product from the stone crushing process in quarries—were examined for their capability to enhance the strength and longevity of concrete. The experimental approach involved modifying a standard concrete mix formulation by substituting 10% of cement with Alccofine—determined as the most effective proportion based on prior research— and replacing 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of river sand with quarry dust. This study aimed to evaluate how these adjustments affect the compressive and split tensile strengths of concrete after curing for 7, 14, and 28 days. The outcomes indicated that concrete blends incorporating Alccofine and quarry dust reached the desired average strength levels after a 28-day curing period, with the combination of 10% Alccofine and 10% quarry dust (A10Q10) showing the most notable enhancement in both early and sustained strength characteristics. This particular mix experienced a minor reduction in compressive strength in comparison to the concrete with only Alccofine (A10), hinting at an ideal equilibrium of the advantages offered by these materials. The study confirms that the synergistic use of Alccofine and quarry dust not only contributes to the development of high-strength, sustainable concrete but also leverages industrial byproducts, thereby enhancing the environmental sustainability of construction practices.