PSI - Issue 70

Abhijeet Singh et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 70 (2025) 611–618

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1. Introduction Scientific research devotes increasing attention to substitute construction materials both for enhancing concrete properties and reducing environmental footprints because the construction material market continues its expansion. Marble dust represents one of these materials because it emerges from marble processing yet creates challenges regarding its environmental disposal. Guendouz et al. (2025) observed that marble dust produces stronger concrete and aids carbon emissions management by substituting cement and fine aggregates partly. The main goal of this research project involves the testing of mechanical properties of concrete mixes containing marble dust at different blending ratios as partial substitute to cement. The addition of marble dust to self-compacting concrete resulted in substantial enhancements of compressive strength according to Singh et al. (2024). The research work of Ali et al. (2024) showed that marble dust utilized as pavement filler resulted in better durability performance levels. Research concerning supplementary cementitious materials has become popular because researchers aim to develop sustainable concrete construction practices due to concrete's substantial carbon emission effects. According to Khan et al. (2025) the use of bagasse ash and stone dust provided concrete sustainability benefits which suggests marble dust could have related applications. Marble dust can be utilized for road construction according to the data obtained in experimental research from Shanmuganathan et al. (2024). This research work examines the partial substitution of cement with marble dust by weight in concrete and its impact on concrete mechanical properties with emphasis on compressive strength and split tensile strength. This study strives to determine the best amount of marble dust which will improve concrete quality while supporting environmentally-friendly practices. The utilization of marble dust in industrial waste stream reduces both environmental impact and construction expenditure. 1.1. Impact of Marble Dust in Concrete Marble dust collected from marble processing operations demonstrates effectiveness as an alternative concrete component by partially substituting cement or fine aggregates according to practical and scientific research. The addition of marble dust to concrete enhances performance metrics according to Ali et al. (2018) while decreasing environmental impact significantly thus rendering it excellent for sustainable development. Incorporation of marble dust in concrete leads to achievement of better overall strength performance. The compressive strength increased when experimental concrete samples included marble dust at rates between 5% and 20% per volume according to Singh and Srivastava (2020). Marble dust particles of small size effectively fill the voids within concrete forms which leads to denser material packing that enhances material properties. The calcium carbonate content present in marble dust enhances the speed of strength growth in cement-based products. The replacement of concrete materials with marble dust at excessively high levels produces adverse consequences on concrete structures. Rana et al. (2019) reported that using marble dust quantities above their optimal content caused concrete brittleness while weakening the structural components. Workability and the setting characteristics of materials receive alterations when marble dust is added. Patel and Shah (2017) reported that concrete mixes containing marble dust required less water for their mix and stiffened rapidly by themselves instead of requiring plasticizers thus minimizing their workability. Marble dust influences the period required for concrete to set. Initial setting time shortens when making concrete with marble dust according to Gupta and Kumar (2021) but may disrupt large-scale construction project requirements for extended work durations. The incorporation of marble dust in concrete has led to reduced porosity levels and decreased water absorption rates according to Alyousef et al. (2020) which enhances concrete opposition to moisture and sulfate damage. The authors note that improper mixing procedures alongside excessive replacement ratios can create micro-cracks which reduces durability (Bheel et al. 2019). The use of marble dust promotes important environmental advantages above mechanical advantages. The use of marble dust in construction leads to two environmental advantages according to Ashish (2018) - it cuts down landfill waste and helps sustainable building techniques reduce new cement production needs. According to Hameed and Sekar (2009), partial replacement of concrete components with marble dust decreases environmental pressure through minimization of natural aggregate extraction. Success with marble dust use in concrete depends on proper mix design evaluation along with demanding performance testing protocols. The field of ongoing research focuses on improving marble dust usage to achieve optimal mechanical performance while