Enhancing the Characteristics of Artificial Stone Utilizing Local Industrial Waste

Abstract

Natural stone is one of the most important construction materials in Palestine. However, the excessive use of this resource has led to its enormous depletion causing devastating impact on environment and biodiversity. On the contrary, the amounts of solid waste, especially industrial by-products are increasing dreadfully due to population growth and increase of economic activities. There is an increasing need to come up with innovative ideas to recycle the generated waste and to use it developing useful materials such as artificial stones. The aim of this project were to identify potential byproducts (waste) from local industries and to test them as additives for development of environment-friendly artificial stones with the internationally requested construction standards, such as high compressive strength and low water absorption ratio. Using 10% non-flocculated stone slurry significantly improved compressive strength of the produced artificial stone, while using 15% fine glass powder improved water absorption. Therefore, we suggest a future work to test several combinations of these two wastes to develop an environment-friendly building stone (EfStone). Using 5% of the fine wood sawdust as an additive produced blocks that have less water absorption, lighter weight, and stronger than locally produced bricks. Therefore, we strongly recommend using this formula to develop environmentfriendly bricks (EfBrix). Altogether, our results are very promising indication that there is a strong potential to recycle some of the industrial waste and to use them in a future industry of environment-friendly construction materials.