Strength and sustainability of concrete with partial replacement of cement by marble powder: an experimental study to IS 10262:2019
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Marble processing generates large volumes of calcitic fine powder, while cement production contributes 7–8 % of global CO₂ emissions. This study examines the partial replacement of cement by marble powder (0–25 % by mass, in steps of 5 %) in a superplasticised M30 concrete proportioned according to IS 10262:2019 at a constant water–cement ratio of 0.42. The fresh properties, compressive strength (7, 28 and 56 days), split tensile and flexural strength, static modulus of elasticity, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and water absorption were measured, and the data were analysed by ANOVA, Dunnett’s test and regression. Marble powder shortened the setting times and reduced the slump from 100 mm to 70 mm at 25 % replacement. Strength increased up to 10 % replacement: the 28-day strength of the 10 % mix was 42.7 MPa, 7.3 % above the control (39.8 MPa; Dunnett p< 0.01), the 15 % mix matched the control, and the 20 % and 25 % mixes were 7.0 % and 15.6 % lower. Split tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus, UPV and water absorption followed the same pattern. A quadratic model (R² = 0.925) placed the optimum at 8.2 % replacement. Flexural strength and modulus were consistent with IS 456:2000 expressions. The cost and embodied CO₂ per MPa of strength were lowest at 10 % replacement, 10.5 % and 15.5 % below the control. Replacing 10 % of cement (up to 15 % at equal strength) with marble powder is therefore technically and environmentally advantageous.
Authors: Deepa Rani, Rachana Bajaj
Institution: AISECT University
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7225314875