Evaluation of fine limestone quarry by-products, for the production of building elements – An experimental approach

Aggregates, produced via quarrying operations, are used extensively in the construction industry and are considered vital for the development of any economy. However quarrying has severe environmental impacts such as the emission of dust dispersed in air, water and soil. The utilization of the accumulated dust during aggregates production is thus crucial for the quarrying and construction industry. A characterisation methodology, based on selected quality characteristics of quarry dust, has been developed and limestone dust collected from a concrete and asphalt mixture production plant, in Crete, has been characterized as a case study. Next the development of a simple method for the production of building elements in order to massively recycle quarry dust was investigated at laboratory scale: the production of building blocks by means of compaction moulding. The optimal mix design, as well as the compaction pressure and water content were determined during the experimental procedure. The produced specimens were cured and tested in order to evaluate their major mechanical and physical properties. Results indicated that the production of building elements with market-acceptable quality characteristics is feasible.