Strength, abrasion and permeability studies on cement concrete containing quartz sandstone coarse aggregates

Strength, abrasion and permeability studies on cement concrete containing quartz sandstone coarse aggregates

Construction and Building Materials 125 (2016) 884–891 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Construction and Building Materials journal homepag...

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Construction and Building Materials 125 (2016) 884–891

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Construction and Building Materials journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/conbuildmat

Strength, abrasion and permeability studies on cement concrete containing quartz sandstone coarse aggregates Sanjeev Kumar ⇑, Ramesh Chandra Gupta, Sandeep Shrivastava Department of Civil Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, India

h i g h l i g h t s  Quartz sandstone (mine waste) is used in cement concrete as a replacement of conventional coarse aggregates.  M30 grade of concrete was used for the study with varying water cement ratios of 0.35, 0.4 and 0.45.  Strength, abrasion, absorption and permeability studies were carried out.

a r t i c l e

i n f o

Article history: Received 1 February 2016 Received in revised form 23 August 2016 Accepted 25 August 2016

Keywords: Quartz sandstone Water permeability Abrasion Sorption Microstructure

a b s t r a c t Sandstones being a sedimentary type of rock are composed of sand-sized mineral grains, rock fragments and pieces of fossils which are held together by mineral cement. They differ from other igneous rocks in possessing a framework of grains that touches each other but not in continuous contact. Quartz being a mineral which is highly resistant to both physical and chemical weathering are also found in sandstones. Being found in sandstones, they can be used as partial replacement of aggregate in cement concrete without a substantial decrease in strength properties. In countries like India, sandstone waste generation is very high and it is estimated that Rajasthan alone produces 900 million tonnes of sandstone waste thus leading to a large dumping of these materials without any essential utilisation. To overcome this massive dumping of sandstone wastes and to lessen the use of natural aggregates, a study was carried to find out the effective use of these sandstone wastes in concrete. M30 grade of concrete was designed as per IS 10262: 2010, with water cement ratio of 0.4. However to find the scattering of strength plots, water cement ratios of 0.35 and 0.45 were also adopted for the study. Control mix consists of 0% quartz sandstone and substitution of coarse aggregates was done for 0–100%, in the multiples of 20%. Tests were done to determine the compressive strength, flexural strength, abrasion resistance, permeability and sorptivity in concrete samples. It was observed that the quartz sandstones might be utilised as a partial replacement of coarse aggregates up to 40% without considerable decrease in its preferred strength. Ó 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction Concrete is widely used as a construction material in modern society. With the growth in urbanisation and industrialisation, the demand for concrete is increasing. Therefore, raw materials and natural resources are required in large quantities for concrete production worldwide. At the same time, a considerable amount of industrial waste, agricultural waste and other types of solid

Abbreviations: RCC, reinforced cement concrete; CA, coarse aggregate; FA, fine aggregate; SEM, scanning electron microscopy; DMG, Department of Mines and Geology; CDOD, centre for development of stones; CF, compaction factor. ⇑ Corresponding author. E-mail address: [email protected] (S. Kumar). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.08.106 0950-0618/Ó 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

material disposal are creating environmental issues [1]. So it becomes necessary to find an alternative source for raw materials and to lessen the wastes being dumped. While utilising aggregate of different sizes, proper grading and its effect on strength should be studied to find out the exact ratio in which they can be mixed. Aggregates in RCC shows an obvious size effect on many properties of concrete. The aggregate size however may cause aggregate segregation, concrete internal defect or other issues [2]. Thus sandstone of different sizes used in concrete would have a varying effect on its corresponding strength and further it is important to grade these aggregates when used in concrete [3]. Sandstone being a sedimentary material is affected by the influence of moisture and moisture is known to decrease the

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The demand for aggregates for concrete production has escalated with the increase in large-scale infrastructure and construction projects in many countries. This has led to increased focus on identification of alternatives to natural aggregates with the intention of conserving the natural aggregates for future and to maintain ecological balance [11]. According to DMG Rajasthan, the quantum of stone wastes generated has increased to a greater extent and the sandstone wastes alone accounts to 25% of the mined-out reserves [Table 1]. To utilise them in cement concrete, sandstones wastes were obtained from Dholpur mines in Rajasthan and the aggregates were checked for various properties like apparent specific gravity, water absorption, wear, modulus of rupture and compressive strength [Table 2]. These aggregates were crushed to get the desired grading to make it usable as a replacement for natural coarse aggregate. The fine particles, while crushing was removed using a blower and the size of aggregates, was maintained uniformly.

mechanical properties of brittle construction materials. Since the conditions for the transport processes involved in concrete’s degradation mechanism strongly depend on its pore structure it is important to study, in particular, the porosity, capillarity and the permeability of the microstructure of concrete [4,5]. Addition to strength, abrasion resistance is also used as an index to measure the quality of concrete. Aggregate type, surface finish of concrete and type of curing has a strong influence on abrasion resistance. Abrasion resistance of the resulting concrete mainly depends on upon the properties of the concrete and there is no direct correlation exists between the Los Angeles abrasion of aggregates and the abrasion resistance of resulting concrete [6]. The microstructure of concrete is also one the important parameters that contribute towards the strength property. It is generally agreed that the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) is one of the most important factors for performance of cement-based materials which can be viewed by SEM observations [7]. Elemental composition and type of sandstone might vary and they contribute differently towards the compressive strengths. Clay content in sandstone approximately reduces the compressive strength of concrete to about 40–50% and the presence of carbonate in sandstones have a better bonding between cement and aggregate than those containing clay particles [8]. Sandstones tend to have lesser compressive strength than conventional aggregates and have a distributed plots on mechanical properties and are very sensitive to time-dependent mechanical deterioration. Sandstones perform well in dry condition but in a wet condition it is poor specifically for less cemented sandstone types [9,10].

2. Raw materials and preparation of test specimens The properties of materials and methods of preparations of test specimens are given below. Ordinary Portland cement of grade 43, conforming to IS 8112: 1989 [12] was used (specific gravity 3.15, normal consistency 32%, initial setting time 66 min and final setting time 164 min). Natural river sand confirming to zone II as per IS 383: 1970 [13] (void content 34% as per ASTM C 29/C 29 M: 2009 [14], specific

Table 1 The output of mined out sandstone reserves in Rajasthan, India. Sandstone Waste Generated (in thousand tonnes) Year

1 Mined out Reserves

2 Mine waste @ 25% of Mine Production (3)

3 Sandstone Production as per DMG, Rajasthan (As Blocks or Khandas)

4 Dressing Waste (Lumps – 15% of Block Waste)

5 Processing Waste + Polishing Waste (Powdered – 25% of Block weight)

6 Dressing Waste + Polishing + Processing waste

7 Total Waste

8 Finished Goods by Weight (1–7)

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013–2014 Total

8233 7636 9783 11176 9359 10,409 11,594 13,956 18,462 15,632 18,840 21,841 43,351 200,272

2058 1909 2446 2794 2340 2602 2898 3489 4616 3908 4710 5460 10,838 50,068

6175 5727 7338 8382 7019 7807 8695 10,467 13,847 11,724 14,130 16,381 32,513 150,205

926 859 1101 1257 1053 1171 1304 1570 2077 1759 2120 2457 4877 22,531

1544 1432 1834 2096 1755 1952 2174 2617 3462 2931 3533 4095 8128 37,553

2470 2291 2935 3353 2808 3123 3478 4187 5539 4690 5653 6652 13,005 60,184

4528 4200 5381 6147 5147 5725 6376 7676 10,154 8598 10,363 12,112 23,843 110,250

3705 3436 4403 5029 4211 4684 5217 6280 8308 7034 8477 9729 19,508 90,021

As per data provided by CDOS, Rajasthan, India.

Table 2 Properties of quartz sandstone waste obtained from Dholpur mines. Technical Information

Sample condition

Value

Standard

Water Absorption (% by weight) Specific Gravity, (g/cc) Modulus of rupture (MPa)

– – Dry

1.36 2.43 16 9 13 8 115 108 106 91 1.89

IS 2386-(Part III)-1963 IS 2386-(Part III)-1963 ASTM C-99

Wet Compressive Strength (MPa)

Dry Wet

Abrasion (mm)

Average wear

Parallel to rift Perpendicular Parallel to rift Perpendicular Parallel to rift Perpendicular Parallel to rift Perpendicular

to rift to rift to rift to rift

ASTM C-170

IS 1237

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gravity 2.63, free surface moisture 1% and fineness modulus 2.83). Coarse aggregates, 10 mm size (fineness modulus 6.08) and 20 mm size (fineness modulus 7.22) crushed stone were used as coarse aggregates with an average specific gravity 2.64. Quartz sandstone coarse aggregate, 10 mm size (fineness modulus 6.04) and 25 mm size (fineness modulus 7.24) were used as partial replacement for coarse aggregates with an average specific gravity of 2.45. Glenium Sky 777, poly carboxylic ether superplasticiser free from chloride and alkali confirming to IS 9103 (1999) [25] was used. The particle size distribution, composition of aggregates, cement properties and gradation details were given are same as in S. Kumar et al. (2016). M30 concrete grade was designed as per IS 10262:2010 [15] and IS 456:2000 [16] with water cement ratio of 0.35, 0.4 and 0.45. Concrete cubes of sizes 100 mm  100 mm  100 mm were cast for compressive strength, abrasion and sorptivity tests. Flexural Beams of size 100 mm  100 mm  500 mm and concrete cubes of sizes 150 mm  150 mm  150 mm were cast for water permeability test. Concrete mixtures were cast at indoor temperatures of 25–30 °C. Compaction factor test was used to determine the workability of concrete mixes and C.F. was maintained

between 0.85 and 0.9 by the use of super plasticisers. The curing temperature of 25–27 °C was maintained in the water tank. IS specifications were followed for compression, flexure and abrasion tests, DIN 1048 (Part 5) for water permeability test and ASTM specifications for sorptivity test. 3. Laboratory experimental program 3.1. Materials and methods 3.1.1. Workability, fresh and hardened concrete properties. Workability of fresh concrete was measured using compaction factor apparatus as per IS 1199:1959 [17] and the same code was used for measuring the density of fresh concrete. Workability and density of fresh concrete containing increased dosages of quartz sandstone aggregates were compared with the control concrete containing only the conventional aggregates. The details of workability and fresh concrete densities are given in Tables 3–5 for different water-cement ratios. The density of concrete containing quartz sandstone aggregates decreased as the dosage increased

Table 3 Mixture proportions and properties of fresh concrete for the water-cement ratio of 0.35. Ingredients per kg/m3

Cement Water 20 mm CA 10 mm CA FA Quartz Sandstone Aggregate 25 mm Quartz Sandstone Aggregate 10 mm Admixture Compaction factor Density

Specimen Id A

B

C

D

E

F

440 154 683.65 559.35 635.47 – – 1 0.9 2450

440 154 546.92 447.48 635.47 149.16 99.44 1.05 0.9 2375

440 154 410.19 335.61 635.47 298.32 198.88 1.1 0.89 2360

440 154 273.46 223.74 653.47 447.48 298.32 1.15 0.88 2345

440 154 136.73 111.87 653.47 596.64 397.76 1.2 0.88 2335

440 154 – – 653.47 745.8 497.2 1.2 0.87 2295

Table 4 Mixture proportions and properties of fresh concrete for the water-cement ratio of 0.4. Ingredients per kg/m3

Cement Water 20 mm CA 10 mm CA FA Quartz Sandstone Aggregate 25 mm Quartz Sandstone Aggregate 10 mm Admixture,% Compaction factor Density

Specimen Id BA

BB

CA

DA

EA

FA

405 154 693.55 567.45 645 – – 1 0.89 2440

405 154 554.84 453.96 645 151.32 100.88 1.05 0.9 2425

405 154 416.13 340.47 645 302.64 201.76 1.1 0.88 2385

405 154 277.42 226.98 645 453.96 302.64 1.15 0.88 2340

405 154 138.71 113.49 645 605.28 403.52 1.2 0.86 2330

405 154 – – 645 756.6 504.4 1.2 0.86 2195

Table 5 Mixture proportions and properties of fresh concrete for the water-cement ratio of 0.45. Ingredients per kg/m3

Cement Water 20 mm CA 10 mm CA FA Quartz Sandstone Aggregate 25 mm Quartz Sandstone Aggregate 10 mm Admixture,% Compaction factor Density

Specimen Id KA

KB

KC

KD

KE

KG

342.22 154 713.29 589.60 662.05 – – 1 0.89 2435

342.22 154 570.63 466.91 662.05 155.63 105.35 1.05 0.9 2410

342.22 154 427.97 350.16 662.05 311.25 207.5 1.1 0.88 2370

342.22 154 285.31 233.44 662.05 466.88 311.25 1.15 0.88 2355

342.22 154 142.66 116.72 662.05 622.50 415 1.2 0.86 2225

342.22 154 – – 662.05 778.13 518.75 1.2 0.86 2100

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due to the low specific gravity of quartz sandstone and greater void spaces when compared to conventional coarse aggregates. 3.1.2. Microstructure analysis by scanning electron microscope From the microstructure study, it can be said that sandstones are poorly sorted i.e. grains of various sizes occur together and the framework is dominated by quartz, whose particles are generally rounded to sub-rounded. The interstitial matrix of sandstone consists of all silt-sized quartz, mica and probably also submicroscopic clay minerals at grain surfaces. In general, it can be said that sandstone is held together by phyllosilicate minerals (clay and fragments of rock) due to local compaction and rarely by chemical cementation. By sedimentology, sandstones can be categorised into mature, sub-mature, super mature and immature (Table 6). From the preliminary study on quartz sandstone waste by Kumar et al. (2016) clay content in the aggregate was below 5% having some unstable and lithic fragments such as feldspar and the grains were moderately sorted (mostly angular and few rounded grains). From the SEM, X-ray diffraction and methylene blue observations, it was found that the subarkose sandstone wastes belong submature category. There appears slightly greater porosity and also finer grain texture when moving from the control sample towards higher replacement levels with sandstone. Control concrete was made with magmatic rock aggregate as opposed to the sedimentary sandstone which absorbs more water, leaving gaps at interfaces between sandstone and cement paste which reduces compressive strength as the quartz sandstone content is increased (Fig. 1). The other reason for higher porosity is inherited from the formation process of sandstone (i.e. sedimentation), resulting in voids within the material. 3.1.3. Compressive strength test Concrete cubes of 100 mm  100 mm  100 mm were cast with increasing replacement percentages of quartz sandstone as a substitute material for conventional coarse aggregate. Specimens were cast for 7 and 28 days compressive strength tests in compliance with IS 516: 1959 [18], demoulded after 24 h and cured immersed in a curing tank free from vibration. At test ages, any grit and surface water was removed from the concrete cubes and the test carried out without delay. The results showing variation in compressive strength are given in Figs. 2–4. From the test results of three average values for water-cement ratios of 0.35, 0.4 and 0.45, the compressive strength showed a decreasing trend whilst adding quartz sandstone as coarse aggregate. Upon 100% replacement, a maximum of 21% decrease in compressive strength was observed at 0.45 water/cement ratio. However, a maximum decrease of only 8% in compressive strength

Table 6 The textural maturity of sandstone based on clay content, minerals present and type of grains [26]. Maturity

Clay content

Minerals present

Grain type

Immature

Greater than 5% clays or silt Less than 5% clays or silt

A Large proportion of unstable minerals such as feldspar and lithic fragments Some unstable minerals and lithic fragments

Angular and diverse grain sizes

Less than 5% clay or silt Less than 5% clays or silt

Stable minerals like lithics and chert

Submature

Mature

Supermature

Exclusively stable minerals

Moderately sorted grains (Mostly angular and a few rounded grains) Clasts are sub angular to subrounded Well sorted grains. Clasts are subrounded to round

Aggregate

ITZ

Cement paste

Aggregate

Cement paste

Aggregate

ITZ Cement paste

Fig. 1. SEM Images of Concrete Samples Containing Quartz Sandstone, (1000 Magnification).

was observed up to 40% substitution when compared with the control concrete. The decrease in trend pattern was noticed at every percentage of replacement of quartz sandstones. Target strengths of 38.25 MPa was attained till 80% replacement level at 0.35 water/cement ratio, 60% replacement level at 0.40 water/cement ratio. However at 0.45 water/cement ratio, the target strength was achieved only till 40% replacement level. 3.1.4. Flexural strength test Concrete beams of 100 mm  100 mm  500 mm size were cast with various percentages of quartz sandstone aggregates and various water/cement ratios. Flexural strength tests were carried out in accordance to IS 516: 1959 after 7 and 28 days. The test samples were stored in water at a temperature of approximately 27–29 °C for 24 h before testing. The samples were tested while they were still in wet condition. Loose and foreign materials were wiped off the bearing surfaces and the axis of the specimen was aligned with

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Fig. 2. Compressive Strength of cubes for water-cement ratio of 0.35. Fig. 5. Flexural Strength of cubes for the water-cement ratio of 0.35.

Fig. 3. Compressive Strength of cubes for water-cement ratio of 0.40.

Fig. 6. Flexural Strength of cubes for the water-cement ratio of 0.40.

Fig. 4. Compressive Strength of cubes for water-cement ratio of 0.45.

that of the loading device. Then load was applied at a rate of 400 kg/min. until the specimen failed to attain the peak load. The test results showed a decrease in flexural strength as the quartz sandstone was added in concrete (Figs. 5–7). All the samples showed a continuous decrease in trend pattern as the quartz

Fig. 7. Flexural Strength of cubes for the water-cement ratio of 0.45.

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sandstone replacement increased. It was also observed that the decrease in trend was comparable until 40% replacement level in all the water/cement ratios. At 60%, 80% and 100% replacements, the trend pattern showed a major decrease in flexural strength. The maximum decrease was found to be 12% when compared to the control concrete for the water/cement ratio of 0.35.

3.1.5. Abrasion resistance To assess the resistance to wear, abrasion was measured as per IS 1237: 1980 [19]. Concrete specimens of size 100 mm  100 mm  100 mm were water cured for 28 days and oven dried at a temperature of 60 ± 5 °C for 5 days before testing. An abrasive powder having an aluminium oxide content of not less than 95 percent by mass and having a specific gravity of 4.0 was used. The specimen of 100 mm2 surface area was placed in the holding device with a central load of 300 N and an additional load of 600 N was applied. At every 22 revolutions, the vertical axis of

Fig. 8. Graphical representation of the depth of wear vs quartz percentage replacement.

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the specimen was rotated to an angle of 90° and the fresh abrasive powder was introduced to complete a total of 220 revolutions. As per the code, in general purpose tiles, the average maximum wear shall not exceed 3.5 mm and wear on any individual specimen shall not exceed 4 mm. The results of abrasion resistance are shown in Fig. 8 (average of three specimen values). The depth of abrasion is increased with the increase in the percentage of quartz sandstone aggregate irrespective of the water-cement ratios. This increase in abrasion depth is due to the higher proportion of sedimentary type coarse aggregate used i.e. quartz sandstone. As the replacement level increased, the depth of wear increased revealing the aggregate surfaces (Fig. 9). The decrease in abrasion resistance may also be related to the decrease in compressive strength of samples containing quartz sandstone aggregates. The maximum abraded depth of 1.89 mm was obtained for w/c 0.45 at 100% replacement level. 3.1.6. Water permeability test Water acts as the primary agent responsible for the deterioration of concrete or as the transport medium for aggressive species like chloride or sulphate ions. Hence, water permeability of concrete is assumed to be an essential property related to the serviceability and durability of concrete structures (e.g. bridges, hydraulic structures and marine structures) subjected to aggressive environments [20–22]. A suitably low permeability can be obtained by having an adequate cement content, low water/cement ratio, complete compaction of concrete and adequate curing [23]. DIN: 1048 (Part 5) specification was used for the test on concrete cubes of 150 mm  150 mm  150 mm. A constant water pressure of 0.5 N/mm2 acting normal to the mould-filling direction was applied for 72 h. After the test period, the specimens were removed and spilt up at the middle to measure the penetration depth. From the test results given in Fig. 10, depth of water penetration increased as the percentage of sandstone increased irrespective of the water/cement ratio, with the maximum depth of water penetration observed as about 64 mm for w/c of 0.45. This increase in penetration depth is due to the higher proportion of quartz sandstone aggregate used which absorbs more water when compared to conventional coarse aggregates. The increase in the intensity

Fig. 9. Abraded surface of concrete having quartz sandstone for various replacement levels.

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Fig. 10. Water penetration of concrete containing quartz sandstone aggregate.

Fig. 12. Test setup for sorptivity showing wax coated sides.

Fig. 11. Water absorption (Sorptivity) of concrete containing quartz sandstone aggregate.

aggregates and a maximum of 0.46 mm was observed at 100% replacement level for 0.45 water/cement ratio (Fig. 11). This increase in absorption may be related to the use of a sedimentary type of stone as a replacement of natural aggregate. Also, the increase in water/cement ratio with an increase in quartz sandstone replacement could have resulted in interconnectivity of small pores making the concrete more permeable. 4. Results and discussions

of micro cracks at the aggregate-cement paste interface may also have resulted in the increase in permeation as the quartz sandstone replacement was increased. 3.1.7. Sorptivity test Water absorption testing was carried out according to ASTM C 1585-04 [24]. The permeability of the pore system is one of the most important factors for determining the performance of concrete in aggressive environments. The rate of ingress of water is mostly controlled by absorption due to capillary rise for an unsaturated concrete. This test method is used to determine the rate of absorption (sorptivity) of water by hydraulic cement concrete by measuring the increase in the mass of a specimen resulting from absorption of water as a function of time when only one surface of the specimen is exposed to water (Fig. 12). The exposed surface of the specimen is immersed in water and water ingresses of unsaturated concrete predominantly by capillary suction during the initial contact with water. The only difference of sorption from permeability is the driving force for water ingress in concrete being the capillary suction rather than a pressure head. Specimens of size 100 mm  100 mm  100 mm, cured for 28 days and oven dried at a temperature of 65 ± 5 °C for seven days, were used for testing. The test results showed an increase in absorption depth as the conventional aggregates were replaced with quartz sandstone

 The density of the concrete containing quartz sandstone decreased as the replacement level increased due to a low specific gravity of quartz sandstone compared to conventional coarse aggregates.  From the results of compression test for water-cement ratios of 0.35, 0.40 and 0.45, the compressive strength showed a decreasing trend as the quartz sandstone aggregate percentage was increased. The target strength of 38.25 N/mm2 was achieved for all replacements levels of quartz sandstone for watercement ratios at 0.35 and 0.40 and till 40% substitution at 0.45. The similar decreasing trend was noticed in flexural strength results due to the use of weaker tensile strength quartz sandstone for conventional aggregate thus resulting in the lower flexural strength of concrete.  To develop concrete for high abrasion resistance, it is desirable to use a hard surface material, aggregate, and paste with low porosity and high strength. As the quartz sandstones are not as hard as natural aggregate and the additional dosages of them may have resulted from an increase in porosity of the concrete samples. Thence an increase in wear was observed as the dosage of quartz sandstone aggregate increased for all the water-cement ratios.  From the sorptivity and permeability tests, it can be seen that water absorption and permeation increased as the quartz sandstone aggregate replacement increased for all the water-cement

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ratios and a maximum of 0.46 mm was observed for 100% replacement level. This increase in trend pattern can be related to a use of sedimentary type of stone, increased water/cement ratio which may have led to increasing in porosity and interconnectivity of small pores. 5. Conclusion Experiments were conducted to study the suitability of quartz sandstone wastes in cement concrete as the replacement for conventional coarse aggregates. M30 grade of concrete is designed as per IS: 10262-2010, with water/cement ratio 0.40. Water–cement ratios of 0.35 and 0.45 were also studied. Control mix consists of 0% quartz sandstone and substitution of coarse aggregates was done for 0–100%, in the multiples of 20%. Tests were done to determine the compressive strength, flexural strength, abrasion resistance, micro-structure, water permeability, and Sorptivity in concrete specimens. The following conclusions may be drawn from this study.  While utilising quartz sandstone in concrete, proper selection of water/cement ratio becomes mandatory as the strength plots decrease due to increasing in water/cement ratio.  For mix designs having water/cement ratios more than 0.40, quartz sandstone aggregate replacement can be limited to 40% to attain target strength for M30 grade of concrete.  The water penetration depth and absorption depth was found to be increasing as the quartz sandstone aggregate replacement increased. For a low-lying area prone to continuous contact with water, the quartz sandstone dosage can be limited to 40% with a maximum water/cement ratio of 0.4.  Concrete having quartz sandstone is recommended for structural works and general purpose tiles comparing the limits of Indian standard codes. However for heavy duty purposes, the replacement level of quartz sandstone can be done up to 80%. Acknowledgments The data reported in this study is based on information provided from several research projects. The Authors would like to acknowledge the contribution made by Dr Laszlo J Csetenyi, Concrete Technology Unit, University of Dundee, United Kingdom and Material Research Centre, MNIT Jaipur, Rajasthan, India for microscopic studies. References [1] S.E. Aprianti, A huge number of artificial waste material can be supplementary cementitious material (SCM) for concrete production – a review part II, J. Cleaner Prod. (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.12.115.

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