Utilization of Sandstone Quarry Dust as Partial Replacement of Natural Sand in Concrete: A Review on Mechanical and Durability Properties

The excessive extraction of river sand for concrete production has created severe environmental and ecological concerns worldwide. Rapid urbanization and infrastructure development have significantly increased the demand for natural sand, resulting in depletion of riverbeds, groundwater reduction, ecosystem disturbance, and environmental degradation. Consequently, researchers have focused on identifying sustainable alternative materials for fine aggregate in concrete. Quarry dust, a by-product obtained during crushing and processing of rocks in quarries, has emerged as a promising substitute for natural sand. This study presents a comprehensive review and assessment of the utilization of sandstone quarry dust as a partial replacement of natural sand in concrete. The influence of quarry dust on workability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, water absorption, chloride-ion permeability, sorptivity, and microstructural characteristics of concrete is discussed. The study also examines the mineralogical and physical properties of quarry dust and evaluates its suitability according to standard specifications. Experimental findings from previous investigations indicate that optimum replacement levels generally range between 10% and 30%, depending upon the characteristics of the quarry dust and mix proportions. The inclusion of quarry dust improves the packing density and microstructure of concrete, resulting in enhanced mechanical and durability properties at optimum replacement levels. However, excessive replacement may adversely affect workability and strength due to higher fines content and increased water demand. The study concludes that sandstone quarry dust possesses significant potential as an eco-friendly and sustainable construction material for partial replacement of natural sand in concrete.