The Effect of Replacing Fine Silica with Stone Cuttings' Powder on the Compressive Strength of Concrete: A Case Study in Jordan

Stone wastes from cutting chainsaws in stone crushers have a negative effect on the environment. The reuse of these wastes is achieved in this study, as the fine sand of silica was replaced with stone wastes from Ajloun and Madaba with the following by-weight percentages: 0%, 10%, 25% and 100%. Standard compressive strength tests were performed at the Royal Scientific Society, Jordan to check the compressive strength of the new mixes. The tests performed in this paper are conducted on the following samples: (50 * 50 * 50 mm) mortar samples, (150 * 150 * 150 mm) concrete cubes and (150 * 300 mm) concrete cylinders. Tests are performed for the periods of 3, 7 and 28 days. The results show that the use of Ajloun stone wastes increased the compressive strength of mortar by 13%, while it was reduced by 3% by using Madaba stone wastes. In concrete cubes, the use of Ajloun stone wastes increased compressive strength by 37%, while it was reduced by 20% by using Madaba stone wastes. In concrete cylinders, the use of Ajloun stone wastes increased the compressive strength by 32%, while it was decreased by 23% by using Madaba stone wastes. Consequently, Ajloun stone wastes are suggested to be used as an alternative to fine silica and they proved their quality through the basic aggregate tests. The increase in compressive strength is attributed to Ajloun stone being of least absorption of liquids, as well as to the bonding force between the inner particles of the stone.