Feasibility of Using Stone Dust in Mortars as a Substitute for Natural Sand

Abstract

This article demonstrates the technical feasibility of replacing natural sand with stone dust in mortar mixtures. Laboratory tests were conducted to characterize sand and stone dust samples, an industrial by-product originating from quarries. Using a 1:8 ratio and a water/cement ratio of 0.5, according to ABNT NBR 13.276, the materials were used for mortar mixtures for bricklaying and coating. Cylindrical specimens were molded and stored in a humid chamber for different curing periods (7, 14, and 28 days). Compression tests and verification of the elastic modulus were conducted following ABNT NBR 7.215 recommendations. Additionally, experimental panels were built and coated with mortar mixtures dosed with sand and stone dust. Tensile strength tests on the coating were conducted on these panels. The results indicated that stone dust can replace natural sand in mortar mixtures for bricklaying and coating. In all curing periods studied, the specimens with stone dust showed performance equivalent to those dosed with natural sand. The elastic modulus also showed statistically similar values in both mixtures. Therefore, using stone dust to replace natural sand offers the construction industry a sustainable alternative, reducing environmental impact by utilizing quarry by-products instead of non-renewable natural materials.