The disposal and recycling of industrial by-products such as marble and limestone powders pose pressing environmental challenges due to the substantial amounts of waste generated annually by marble processing plants and limestone quarries. The integration of these by-products into concrete production is justified by their widespread availability and the potential to alleviate the environmental burden. This study used a statistical mixture design approach to systematically assess the effects of limestone and marble powders, with varying fineness levels, as partial cement replacements (up to 17%) on the rheological and mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC). The experimental findings revealed that the density of the SCC mixtures ranged from 2475 to 2487 kg/m³. Mixtures incorporating limestone powder exhibited superior flowability, achieving a slump flow of up to 69 cm, an 8% improvement compared to those containing marble powder. However, marble powder with a specific surface area of 330 m²/kg demonstrated significant improvements in compressive and tensile strengths, with increases of 18%. Statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) validated the reliability of the predictive models developed, which demonstrated coefficients of determination (R²) that exceeded 0.94 and p-values below 0.05. These models enable precise predictions of critical performance metrics, including density, slump flow, box flow, compressive strength, and tensile strength, thus reducing the need for extensive experimental procedures.

1. Development in global infrastructure and economic activity is related centrally to the construction industry. However, the latter is criticised for its environmental footprint, which has been in...

Geopolymer binder has been received as sustainable substitute for the Portland cement that ensures lower carbon footprint and higher durability properties. This study focuses on the influence of metakaolin (MK) replacement in Benisaf natural pozzolan (BNP)-based mortars on the rheological and mechanical properties of these latter. The objective is to optimize the metakaolin content for improved mechanical performance while keeping suitable workability. Sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used as activating solutions to synthesize geopolymer mortars, where MK replaced BNP with five different ratios of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and particle size analysis were used for characterizing the raw materials. The tests focused on flowability in fresh state, and compressive strength (CS) at 14 and 28 days. The outcomes show that increasing MK quantity results in a reduction in workability, since its particle size is finer and its reactivity is higher, consequently the viscosity is higher and the fluidity is lower. As a result, compressive strength was increased considerably, with a maximum value of 24 MPa at 40% metakaolin substitution (150% higher than control geopolymer mortar). This improvement is due to increased availability of aluminosilicate, which allows a denser gel formation as well as a more favorable polycondensation. Over 40% of MK content resulted in incomplete dissolution and decreased strength. A quantitative evaluation of MK-BNP geopolymer interactions is presented, high-lighting that 40% MK replacement can provide an optimal workability- strength equilibrium. This work aids the formulation of sustainable geopolymer mortars suitable for construction. Complementary investigations should emphasize practicability through large-scale applications, and durability and thermal stability as well.