EVALUATION OF MARBLE SLURRY WASTE FOR PREPARATION OF COMMERCIAL GRADE CEMENT

Marble processing is generating a large amount of slurry waste which poses serious impact on the environment. This study was conducted with the objective to demonstrate the practicability of using marble slurry wastes in the manufacturing of cement on commercial scale. Waste marble slurry was obtained from marble processing units and compares it with the calcium carbonate used in the cement industry by analyzing it for physical and chemical characteristics. Cement was made in the laboratory according to standard formulation. Commercial brand available in the market was used as control for product comparison. Physical and chemical properties of both cements and mechanical properties of their concrete specimens were tested according to American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) standards. The test results showed that the cement prepared from marble slurry waste have similar properties like commercial brand. It was concluded that marble slurry can be used as a substitute of calcium carbonate raw-material in the manufacturing of commercial cement.