ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

ADDIS ABABA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Effect of limestone quarry dust as partial replacement of cement on C-25 concrete

Property

A thesis proposal submitted to the school of graduate studies of

Addis Ababa University in partial fulfilment of the requirement for
the degree of Master of Science in Construction Technology and Management

By
Addistibeb Solomon
ID: - GSR/3788/14
November, 2022
 ABSTRACT
Concert is the major building material which contains cement as one of the main ingredients for
the production of concrete. During the production of cement tons of Co2 released to the
atmosphere and the production acquire naturally occurring materials that determined to be run
out. Therefor the idea of sustainability come in the construction industry and many researchers
investigate materials which have the capacity to replace cement. From those materials quarry
dust is one it is a byproduct of the crushing process which is a concentrated material to use as
aggregate for concreting purpose, especially as a fine aggregate. This research will be the
replacement of cement by limestone quarry dust and its significant to the society and also for the
construction industry .The replacement scenario of the cement is partial from 0%, 5%, 10%,
20%, 25%, 30%, and 40% this percentages are collected from different researches suggestion.
the first thing to asses is that is it possible to replace partially cement by limestone quarry dust
in C-25 the concrete production. To determine this under chapter three of this proposal the
methodology is stated. All materials that be used for the production of concrete including quarry
dust will investigated and test for the harden concrete and fresh concrete will also be determined
using ASTM, British standards and finally under the last chapter the work plan and the cost
break down or the budget plan for the research included.

I
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... I
CHAPTER ONE .........................................................................................................................1
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................1
1.1 Statement of the problem ...........................................................................................2
1.2 Research questions ....................................................................................................2
1.3 Objectives .................................................................................................................2
1.4 Significant of the research .........................................................................................3
1.5 Scope of the research .................................................................................................3
CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................4
2. LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................4
2.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................4
2.2 Stone Quarrying ........................................................................................................4
2.3 Environmental impact of quarry dust .........................................................................4
2.4 Studies on the use of dust as a partial replacement for cement ...................................5
2.5 Effects of Limestone on Fresh Concrete Properties ....................................................8
2.6 Summary ...................................................................................................................9
CHAPTER THREE................................................................................................................... 10
3. MATERIALS and METHODOLOGY ........................................................................... 10
3.1 Study area................................................................................................................ 10
3.2 Sample preparation and Sampling technique ............................................................ 10
3.3 Research design ....................................................................................................... 11
3.4 Study variable/measurements .................................................................................. 12
3.5 Sample Taking test procedure .................................................................................. 12
3.6 Laboratory Tests for aggregate ................................................................................ 12
3.7 Laboratory test for Quarry dust and cement ............................................................. 13
3.8 Test for fresh and harden concrete ........................................................................... 13
3.9 Data processing and analysis ................................................................................... 13
CHAPTER FOUR ..................................................................................................................... 14
4. WORK PLAN AND BUDGET ...................................................................................... 14
4.1 Study work plan ...................................................................................................... 14
4.2 Budget breakdown................................................................................................... 14
References ................................................................................................................................ 16

II
 List of tables
Table 1 Research work plan and Time schedule frame work...................................................... 14
Table 2 Budget Breakdown table for laboratory tests................................................................. 14
Table 3 Budget Breakdown table for material, manpower and facilities ..................................... 15

III
 CHAPTER ONE
1. INTRODUCTION
In the present era of development due to very advanced techniques and materials available and
growing standards of living being the construction activities are increasing exponentially with
time. It is mainly due to the effect of technology in now days .The increasing construction
activities consumes the available natural resources heavily and posing serious environmental
problem. However, construction activities are leading to the development in social and economic
aspects cannot be stopped or reduced for the sake of conservation of natural resources (Ch.
Santosh, 2021).
Cement is one of the oldest binding materials widely used in construction industry around the
world which is considered as one of the primary producers of carbon dioxide, contributing about
5-8 percent to the overall carbon dioxide production in the world. As in the production of one ton
of Portland cement about one ton of carbon dioxide is released into the environment. It is
estimated that cement production is responsible for about 3% of the global greenhouse gas
emission. About 50% of the CO2 released during cement production is related to the
decomposition of limestone during burning. As a result, mixing of clinker with supplementary
materials (called blending) is considered as a very effective way to reduce CO2 emission (Martin
and Verein, 2011).

Most of those cement replacement materials are by-products of different industries associate
degreed agricultural wastes. furnace slag, oxide fume, ash and rice husk will be sited as an
example. Stone by-product powder/dust that may be a by-product of crushing, cutting or
sharpening differing types of stones for various functions are found to be used as natural
Pozzolana or as filler whereas manufacturing concrete. Marble mud, granite dust and rock
powder are largely tested stone process by-product materials for his or her properties to be used
as cement replacement materials. Among all stone process industries device mud created
throughout combination production is common and wide produced stone by-product
(Haimd,2018).
Lime stone and Granite quarries are considerably increasing in number and they produce large
amount of Lime stone and Quarry dust in powder form during their crushing process. Handling
becomes a challenge for these quarries, because the land filling and disposal of this powder
creates serious environmental problems like water, land pollutions and cause determinantal
effects to the human health. Both powdered materials are very fine in nature and they
contaminate the air ( Felekoglu,2007).
Quarry dust has been proposed as an alternative to river sand that gives additional benefit to
concrete. Quarry dust is known to increase the strength of concrete over concrete made with
equal quantities of river sand. The Compressive strength of quarry dust concrete continues to

By: Addistibeb Solomon 1

increase with age for all the percentage of quarry dust contents (Mir, 2015), . but here in Addis
Ababa most of the time in the construction industry there is a scarcity of cement and on the other
hand there is a huge amount of quarrying activity relating the two the research will consider be to
produce concrete using quarry dust as a partial replacement of cement and investigate its effect
in addition to the idea of producing green concrete.

1.1 Statement of the problem

Because of the development of the construction industry, the need for the concrete making
materials is increasing simultaneously. All of concrete making ingredients are naturally
occurring material, these materials can’t replace them self or took so many years to form again.
And cement is one of concrete making material. The raw materials for the cement production
like lime are also being exploited in a large amount, which will result in shortage of lime in the
future, as it is predicted to happen in some places of the World. On the construction cost point of
view especially in huge construction projects the cement cost is very high.
There are a number of quarry sites in Addis Ababa and having quarry dust parallelly as a waste.
The idea of using a waste material for the production of new product is not a developed habit in
developing countries. Beside that quarry dust have impact on the environment; affect the air,
plant and also animals. Thus, this research deals with the feasibility of the limestone quarry dust
which is left as a waste in quarry sites by using it as a partial cement replacement material in
concrete production.
1.2 Research questions
 Is it possible to use raw limestone quarry dust as a partial cement replacement for C-25
concrete production ?
 What is the optimum percentage of quarry dust for the best replacement of cement in C-
25 concrete construction?
 What is the behavior of newly produced concrete with the respect to slump test?
 What is the behavior of newly produced concrete with the respect to compressive
strength?
 Is using lime stone quarry dust as a partial replacement of cement in concert production
has the economic advantage or disadvantage ?
1.3 Objectives
1.3.1 General objective
 To investigate the possibility of using raw limestone quarry dust as a partial replacement
of cement in the concrete production and determine the properties fresh and harden
properties of concrete and to evaluate the economic advantage or disadvantage of using
the quarry dust.
1.3.2 Specific objective
 To investigate the possibility of replacing limestone quarry dust as a partial replacement
of cement in C-25 concrete production.
 To examine the optimum percentage of limestone quarry dust for the best partial
replacement of cement.

By: Addistibeb Solomon 2

  To check the workability of the concrete that produced partially with limestone quarry
dust
 To experimentally investigate the effect of limestone quarry dust on compressive strength
of the concrete.
 To conduct cost benefit analysis of the concrete that produced by limestone quarry dust.
1.4 Significant of the research
The research will be significant to the construction industry it is because the study will provide a
new approach on producing of concrete from materials that are environmentally pollutant. If the
final result of the research conclude that the limestone quarry dust have the capacity to partially
replace cement in concrete, the research will be significant in minimizing the cement cost
specially in huge projects.

1.5 Scope of the research

The scope of the study is determining the behavior of the concrete that will produced with a
partial replacement of cement using (0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%) limestone quarry dust.
The mix design proportion of the ingredient used for the production of concrete will determine.
The characteristics of aggregate and quarry dust will determine by conducting laboratory test.
which will indicate the behavior of limestone quarry dust that makes it similar to cement and the
characteristic of concrete will be determine by conducting slump test for the fresh concrete and
compressive strength test of harden concrete with a maximum of 90 days curing of C – 25 grade
concrete, by considering parameter like a constant water per cement ratio. The comparison of the
concrete with a quarry dust and without quarry dust by using the tests that will conducted.

By: Addistibeb Solomon 3

 CHAPTER TWO
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
The preliminary literature review it includes information about the production of cement and
sustainability relating with quarry dust and how it can be formed and also reviewed different
researches based on quarry dust as a partial replacement of cement in concrete properties and the
maximum range of replacement as well as it covers the limestone quarry dust effect on the fresh
concrete property . The information for the literature review is gathered from journals, MSc.
Thesis, books and from different website sources.
2.2 Stone Quarrying
A quarry is a type of open-pit surface mining from which rock or minerals are extracted. In
quarrying activities, the rock was crushed into various sizes. Quarry dust is a by-product of the
production of aggregates by the rock crushing process. The amount of industrial waste is
increasing year by year. Industrial waste is defined as waste generated from manufacturing or
industrial processes. One of the types of industrial waste is quarry dust. The dust will lead to
landfill, health and pollution problems that is why quarry dust is considered as a solid waste
material (Dinesh kumar et al., 2018).
Crushing dust is a by-product of the mechanized production of coarse aggregates. Grinding dust
is a by-product of grinding and contains a large amount of fine material that falls through the 150
µm sieve. Crusher dust fines can be dry screens collected below the last screen deck in a dry or
semi-dry state, or pond screens obtained from aggregate washing and collected from tailings
ponds. The number of fines produced varies from one crusher to another and can account for up
to 25% of production depending on the type of quarry, the type of rock being crushed and the
type and size of aggregate produced. Most specifications for use in the manufacture of fines
aggregates will not accept material with more than 10% passing the 150-micron sieve. These
fine-grained materials currently have limited use and their proper disposal is a growing concern
in the stone industry (Doraiswamy S. 1992).
2.3 Environmental impact of quarry dust
Dust may occur as fugitive dust from excavation, from haul roads, and from blasting, or can be
from point sources, such as drilling, crushing and screening (Langer, 2002). Quarrying activities
extract rock and transform it into various sizes; as a waste, a fine aggregate that is difficult to
dispose of and can pollute the environment is produced. The disposal of this type of waste is an
additional cost of the extraction process, as well as a risk, particularly for subsoil water reserves
that are easily accessible during rainstorms, and for the sea when quarries are close to the coast.
Quarry dust should be used productively with the dual goals of disposal and environmental
protection in mind (Liguori, V 2019).

The most obvious engineering impact of the quarry is a change in geomorphology and land use
conversion with the associated change in the visual scene. These major impacts can include

By: Addistibeb Solomon 4

habitat loss, noise, dust, vibration, chemical spills, erosion, sedimentation and quarry
abandonment. Some of the impacts are short-lived and most are easy to predict and observe
(Langer, 2002).

Dust from quarry sites is a major source of air pollution, although the severity will depend on
factors like the local microclimate conditions, the concentration of dust particles in the ambient
air, the size of the dust particles and their chemistry, for example limestone quarries produce
highly alkaline (and reactive) dusts, whereas coal mines produce acidic dust. The air pollution is
not only a nuisance (in terms of deposition on surfaces) and possible effects on health, in
particular for those with respiratory problems but dust can also have physical effects on the
surrounding plants, such as blocking and damaging their internal structures and abrasion of
leaves and cuticles, as well as chemical effects which may affect long-term survival (Guach,
2001).
According to Endalew et al., 2019 a research done in the environment and social impacts of
stone quarrying: south western Ethiopia, in case of Bahir Dar zuria wereda zenzelma Kebele
concluded that main socio-environmental impacts of quarry exploitation are reduction in
agricultural yields, agricultural barriers, loss of biodiversity, habitat and deforestation, land use
change, change in landscape, free movement of animals , erosion and sedimentation, loss of
static value, livestock deaths, human deaths, property damage, air pollution (dust) and related
health effects such as stress, and coughs and colds. Local residents and cobblestone workers
were unaware of the environmental and social impact of the quarry and received no training
from the government administration, non-governmental organizations or anyone else about
quarrying and mining.

2.4 Studies on the use of dust as a partial replacement for cement

B. Manoj, G. Laxmi Prasanna, D. Sai Krishna, B. Siva Sankar Reddy, T. Vamsi Krishna and M.
Surendra Reddy in 2017 conduct an experimental study having a title “partial replacement of
cement by quarry dust” it conducted using a quarry dust obtained from the crusher plant a study.
The replacement of cement by 0%, 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40% and M30 grade concrete cubes of
size 150mm×150mm×150mm were cast for finding its compressive strength. The physical and
the chemical properties of the quarry dust investigated first and using the OPC 43grade cement
with 0.42 water per cement ratio. From the experimental study it was concluded that 25% of
partial replacement of cement with quarry dust improved harden concrete property (Manoj et al.,
2017) .
Kartini, K., Hamidah, M. S., Norhana, A. R. and Nur hanani, A. R. in Malaysia. 2014
conducted research on the suitability of quarry dust fine powder as a cementitious material in
concrete. It performed to determine the mechanical and durability index were a concrete
composed of various water per cement ratio (0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6) for replacement level of 3%,
5%, 10% and 15%, in OPC cement and with the inclusion of superplasticizer to enhance the

By: Addistibeb Solomon 5

workability of concrete. And measured the result for 7, 28, 60, 90 and 120 days. The final result
showed that the quarry dust did not enhance the compressive strength of the concrete but with a
water per cement ratio of 0.3 and 0.4 achieved a good quality comparing with the other ratios.
And in the durability performance measure a quarry dust with 15% proportion and with 0.3 to
0.6 water per cement ratio increase coefficient of permeability. As a final conclusion up to 15%
replacement level of Quarry dust fine powder to cement and with low w/b of concrete, a good
quality concrete still can be achieved (KARTINI et al., 2014).
“Experimental study on partial replacement of cement with quarry dust” research conducted by
Venkata S.., Dr. B. Panduranga and Krishna [Link] 2013. They first put the parameters quarry dust
is collected from local stone crushing units, river sand, coarse aggregate obtained from local
quarry units, Portland pozzolan cement with 53 Grade. The main aim of the research is to find
the possible percentage quarry dust replaced concrete having a good compressive strength The
percentages of quarry dust partial replacement of cement in concrete are 0, 10%, 15%, 20%,
25%, 30%, 35%, and 40%. M20, M30, M40 grade concrete cubes of 150x150x150mm size were
cast for conducting compressive strength test. The final result shows 25% partial replacement of
cement with quarry dust has improved harden concrete property (Sairam Kumar et al., 2013).

Hamid in 2018 perform research in “Feasibility of Using Selected Addis Ababa Basaltic Crusher
Dust as Partial Cement Replacement Material in Concrete Production” alike the research refers
above this describe from which rock type the quarry dust obtained. The main objective of the
research is consistency and setting time of cement paste; compressive strength of cement mortar;
workability of fresh concrete and compressive strength and water permeability of hardened
concretes. The replacement is done both in OPC and PPC cement and replaced by Basaltic
Crusher Dust as 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% to prepare blended cements and produce commonly
used C-25 and C-30concretes. From the experiment it was noticed that basaltic crusher dust can
replace 5% of PPC and 10% of OPC with comparable concrete compressive strength and water
penetration resistance. He concluded that it was able to observe that using basaltic crusher dust
as partial cement replacement material by 5% and 10% results in saving 2.7% to 6.4% cost of
concretes with comparable properties (Haimd 2018).
Soman. K , Dr. K. A. Abubaker and Miss. Divya Sasi did a study on title “Strength Properties
of Concrete with Partial Replacement of Cement by Granite Quarry Dust” in 2014. The objective
of the study is to compare the conventional concrete mix with the replaced concrete percentage
by 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15 and 20% of tests were carried out to find the compressive strength, splitting
tensile strength and flexural strength on specimens. For the experiment, ordinary Portland
cement with 53Grade, Granite quarry dust from a local crusher unit, fine aggregate used is
manufactured sand from granite rock sand was having a water content of 0.80% and water
absorption of 1.20 %, coarse aggregate used had specific gravity 2.74 and water absorption was
0.80 % and there was no moisture content, and a constant water per cement ratio of 0.45 and
super plasticizer used. The final finding of the experiment is that there is no loss in compressive

By: Addistibeb Solomon 6

strength in replacing cement by quarry dust up to 7.50%. The tensile strength and flexural
strength are also not affected for replacement of cement by quarry dust up to 7.5% (Soman et al.,
2014).

“The use of limestone powder as an alternative cement replacement material: an experimental

study” by Wendimu G. and Abebe D. in 2018. This research is different from the above it
examines the effects of partial replacement of Portland cement clinker with limestone addition
on the physical and chemical properties of cement paste and hardened mortar in two ranges of
blain fineness values comparing with OPC and PPC cement. A total of eighteen combine
proportions were designed to check all parameters additionally to the control mix created while
not rock fines. rock fines were another in several percentages starting from five to 35% with 5%
increments and two blain values varied between 4000 - 4300 cm2 and 4301 - 4500 cm2/gm.
According to the findings, replacing ordinary Portland cement with fine limestone powder at a
rate of 5% to 10% with a Blain fineness value of 4000 to 4500 cm2/gm meets the standard
compressive strength requirement of high early strength cement (CEN 42.5) as defined by EN
197-1. But from 25% to 35% it showed a lesser value in the 28th days compressive strength. And
the researchers said that is can be used as a masonry cement with the addition of air entraining
agent (Wendimu & Abebe, 2010).

Ahmed et [Link] 2018 under the title “Influence of Limestone Powder as Partial Replacement of
Cement on Concrete and the Effect of High Temperature on It” conducted research. The
investigation focusses on the effect of the limestone powder (CaCO3) as a compensating
material with cement on the compressive and tensile strength and the effect of elevated
temperature on the type of concrete. The concrete mixes were prepared at a water to binder
(cement + limestone powder ) materials ratio of 0.46 Limestone powder was used as a
compensating material with different ratio of cement by percentage include 0%, 10%, 15%, 20%,
25%. Compressive and tensile strength were investigated before and after the exposure to high
temperature including (200, 400, 600) °C. The final result from the study explained that
limestone compensate changes in both compressive, and tensile strengths. Negative effects on
the properties observed as the amount of limestone exceeds 15% of the cement weight. After the
exposure to high temperature the results show a drop in compressive and tensile strengths in a
different form (Ahmed et [Link] 2018).

According to Meenakshi, 2017 A study represents the behavior of concrete, having partial
replacement of cement with barites and lime powder. For the experiment M30 grade concrete
was used for which the barites and lime powder is replaced and the effect on compressive
strength characteristics having a replacement percentage from 0%, 10%, 20%, 0%was studied.
The final result of the investigation indicates that the replacement of cement with barites and
lime powder showed an increase in the compressive strength in the early stages 7th day. The
compressive strength when tested on 14th day showed almost the same results for all the mixes,
but the results did not show any positive results for 28th day. The usage of barites and lime

By: Addistibeb Solomon 7

powder as a replacement for cement in concrete not shown increases in compressive strength in
28th day (Meenakshi, 2017).

Rajendran et [Link] 2022 investigate the impact partial substitute of limestone and quarry dust
powder in self - compacting concrete. The structure of the have a look at is to recognize the
impact of filler substances along with lime stone powder and quarry dust as a partial substitute of
cement material. The self-compacting concrete turned into produced through partly changing the
cement through 10%, 20%, 30% Lime stone and Quarry dust powder, and their impact on fresh
properties along with passing and filing ability, flowability are tested as in step with European
Federation of National Associations Representing for Concrete (EFNARC) guidelines. Results of
clean and hardened homes exhibited substitute as much as 10% lime stone and quarry dust is the
most appropriate level, and different substitute ranges produced fine results. Compressive
strength, water sorptivity, and density values are marginally affected by the addition of 20% and
30% substitute of those filler substances (Rajendran et al., 2022).
A study done by Mohankumar & Sudharsan in 2017 with the title called “study on the
replacement of cement and fine aggregate with quarry dust” aimed to make concrete totally
replacing river sand with the quarry dust considering the fine fraction of quarry dust present for
partial replacement of cement. A granite quarry dust is used. Concrete of M30 grade has been
designed by using fines removed coarser quarry dust as fine aggregate. The cement is replaced
with fines of quarry in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% by weight. Seven different concrete mixes are
prepared, tested and compared in terms of workability and compressive strength with the
conventional sand concrete of same grade. It is observed that the optimum replacement level of
cement with fines of quarry dust is 6% (Mohankumar & Sudharsan, 2017).

“Partial Replacement of Cement with Quarry Dust and Rice Husk Ash in Concrete” Kankipati
Dinesh kumar, [Link] , [Link], [Link] krishna, [Link] basha and Sk. Gouse bhasa
in 2018. Unlike the above researches it did not only used quarry dust but also additionally rice
husk ash the main purpose of this investigation was to study the partial replacement of cement by
quarry dust of percentages 0%, 5%, 15%, 25%, 35% for M25 grade concrete cubes of 150mm3
and to conduct compressive test and using cylinders for spilt tensile test to find the optimum
replacement percentage. To this percentage the rice husk ash is added in certain proportions such
as 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% and the same conducted . it concluded that replacement of
quarry dust has its optimum strength at 25% for this rice husk ash is added. Results also showed
that this much percentage replacement had better workability and increased in its hardened
concrete properties compare to normal concrete (Dinesh kumar et al., 2018).

2.5 Effects of Limestone on Fresh Concrete Properties

There are conflicting results in the published literature regarding the effect of limestone
additions on water demand and workability. Many of these effects may be related to the particle
size distribution of limestone relative to cement. In general, fine limestone particles can

By: Addistibeb Solomon 8

improve the overall particle packing of binder materials, resulting in less space for water
between solid grains. The general consensus is that the fineness of the limestone is a factor
influencing set time of cement pastes. However, the magnitude of this effect differs among
various studies. As limestone acts as nucleation sites for hydration, it is expected that the heat of
hydration will be increased (D. Hooton et al., 2007).

2.6 Summary
On the different journals reviewed beside research on this literature most the studies across the
world replace quarry dust as a fine aggregate and the result come out that quarry dust can replace
fine aggregate partially and also fully. But in the replacement scenario of cement by using the
quarry dust is the investigation result is quite different, some of the researchers concluded that
7% replacement and the others say the replacement percentage can goes up to 20% or 30%.
Another argument that can raised in the literature is that the researchers did not mention type pf
stone quarry that they collect the quarry dust so that one can tell which stone can be replaced by
this amount. Since the type of quarry dust is different from place to place because of the
geographical effect and the mineral content as well as the fines of the quarry dust and that
determine the its effect in the concrete production the research that I will conduct can tell using
the lime stone quarry at the specific cement factory quarry site determines the effect on both the
fresh and harden concrete. This proposal title had suggested by Wendimu G. and Abebe D. in
2018 as a further study since they already conduct its effect on the cement where the quarry dust
is around Mugher cement factory.

By: Addistibeb Solomon 9

 CHAPTER THREE
3. MATERIALS and METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the methodology that will be used to conduct the research. This research
title is to be experimental approach and quantitative. Some details methodologies for study are
discussed below.
3.1 Study area
The selected proposal study area is located at central part of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.
geographically located at the heart of the nation, 9o2’N latitude and 38o45’E longitude. Its
average altitude is 2,400 meter above sea level, with the highest elevations at Entoto Hill to the
north reaching 3,200 meters. This makes Addis Ababa one of the high-altitude capital cities of
the world.
3.2 Sample preparation and Sampling technique
The dust sample will collect from the allowed lime stone quarry dust site. After determining the
finesse of the dust the sample physical and chemical properties will determined.
Generally test will be proposed to have the following materials ,
o All concrete making materials ( cement, aggregate & water)
o Limestone quarry dust
Water at water per cement ratio and in accordance with moisture to density relationship
1. Equipment
o Laboratory test apparatus for each and respective types of tests
o Respective tools used to test

By: Addistibeb Solomon 10

 3.3 Research design
Chart-1 research design

Effect of limestone quarry dust as partial replacement of

cement on C-25 concrete Property

reviewing literatures Current practice assesment

Proposal development

sample/material conducting environmental considerations progress report

literature and preparation for laboratory tests /factor analysis/
standard review
test
Aggregate cement and concrete tests
tests quarry dust test
AASHTO, - lime stone - enviromnet
ASTM, BS quarry dust pollution First draft
guidlines - water - Seive analaysis - Cemical - slump test thesis
for tests - aggregate - Density com. - compresive report
- Design - cement - Moisture con. - Consistency strength test
parameters - water abso. - setting time
- [Link] - Finess

Result and Discussion Mix proportion design First draft thesis

Economical analysis
report

Document preparation Reserch presentation

/Research paper/

By: Addistibeb Solomon 11

 3.4 Study variable/measurements
For this study, the main parameters to be used for conclusion shall be the following laboratory
tests procedures according to ASTM, AASHTO & British standards.

3.5 Sample Taking test procedure

Sampling design is a definite plan for obtaining a sample from a given population. It refers to the
technique or the procedure the researcher would adopt to select units for the sample. The
following sample will prepared to answer the objective of the research.

Name Material % of 3rd 7th 14th 28th 56th 90th

replacement days days days days days days
test test test test test test
Controlled Quarry dust 0% 3 3 3 3 3 3
Mix A Quarry dust 5% 3 3 3 3 3 3
Mix B Quarry dust 10% 3 3 3 3 3 3
Mix C Quarry dust 20% 3 3 3 3 3 3
Mix D Quarry dust 25% 3 3 3 3 3 3
Mix E Quarry dust 30% 3 3 3 3 3 3
Mix F Quarry dust 40% 3 3 3 3 3 3
Total Sample = 126

3.6 Laboratory Tests for aggregate

1. Nominal Maximum Aggregate Size, Sieve Analysis: in Ethiopia commonly used
Standard which is AASHTO: M 693, ASTM D 3515 , AASHTO T 27-93
[graduation of aggregate]. this is a procedure for the determination of the particle size
distribution of the aggregate. It is also used to determine the fineness modulus, an
index to the fineness, coarseness and uniformity of aggregates. These properties of
the aggregate greatly affect the property of the concrete.
2. Soundness of Aggregates by Use of Sodium Sulfate or Magnesium Sulfate according
to ASTM C88 Standard Test Method - different for fine and coarse aggregates.
3. Relative Density and Water Absorption, Specific gravity and absorption tests of
aggregates (ASTM Designations: C 127, C 29 and C 128, AASHTO T-209).
Aggregates contain pores in their structure; therefore, the specific gravity depends on
whether the pores are included in the measurement or not.
4. Determination of moisture content of aggregate, (British standard, BS 812-109: 1990,
ASTM C 127, C 70, C 128, C 566 and AASHTO T 255). The water to cement ratio of
a concrete affects the strength and the workability of the concrete. The increase of the
water to cement ratio results in a decrease of the strength of the concrete and an
increase of workability. The aggregates in concrete are assumed to be inert materials.

By: Addistibeb Solomon 12

 But most of the aggregates don’t meet this assumption by either absorbing water (dry
aggregates) or by releasing it (wet aggregates) to the mix.
5. Specific gravity and absorption tests of aggregates (ASTM Designations: C 127 and
C 128), Procedure (AASHTO T-166, AASHTO T 84) [Both for coarse and fine
aggregate].

3.7 Laboratory test for Quarry dust and cement

1. The chemical composition of quarry dust and cement :- on of the laboratory test to
determine the chemical composition of both quarry dust and cement. Using the cement
factory laboratory.
2. Consistency, ASTM-C 595 will be used to determine the consistency of quarry dust and
cement.
3. Initial and final setting time:- the initial and final setting time determines the time from
the moment water is added until the paste ceases to be fluid and plastic and the time from
moment water is added for the paste to acquire a certain degree of hardness respectively.
This will identify using ASTM C-191 standard test method for time of setting time by
vicat needle.
4. Fineness of both quarry dust and cement :- since fineness affect different factors like rate
of hydration, rate of setting, rate of hardening, durability and so on. Using ASTM
Designations C150 & AASHTO M85 test procedures will determined.
5. Soundness: - conducted to find out the presence of excess in burnt lime in cement for the
research, autoclave test ASTM-C151 applied to the sample.

3.8 Test for fresh and harden concrete

Slump test:- this test is usually determined consistency of fresh concrete and to check uniformity
from batch to batch. For the research the slump of concrete determined by ASTM Designations
C143 test procedure.
Compressive strength: - compressive strength of concrete cube test provides strength of the
concrete in different days after the placement of concrete. This on the research will be
determined by using ASM Designations C31 test procedure.

3.9 Data processing and analysis

Result collection and detail analysis/discussion: The discussion and analysis part of the research
is based on the above laboratory test results using standards specification and guideline. It will
also include economical view of producing using the limestone quarry dust as a partial
replacement of cement.

By: Addistibeb Solomon 13

 CHAPTER FOUR
4. WORK PLAN AND BUDGET
4.1 Study work plan
Table 1 Research work plan and Time schedule frame work

Study work plan and schedule

o
N Task descriptions Months
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
1 Proposal writing
2 Proposal presentation & Review
3 Writing Literature review
4 Data collection
5 Conducting Tests
6 Data organization and Discussion
7 Progress report submission
8 Consulting by advisor for draft
9 Writing draft Paper /report
10 Submission of draft paper and
consult
11 Correct & Submission of Final
Paper
12 Presentation of Final Paper

4.2 Budget breakdown

General tasks to be implemented and detail required budget planning (cost break down of each
activity) were presented as the following in tabulated form.
Table 2Budget Breakdown table for laboratory tests

Tests Budget Breakdown

For quarry dust and cement For Aggregate test
No Types of tests Unit cost [Birr] No Types of tests Unit cost [Birr]
1 Chemical composition 2000 1 Sieve analysis -
2 Fineness - 2 Soundness 1000
3 Initial & final setting time - 3 Density & water con

4 Consistency - 4 Moisture content. -

5 Soundness 1500 5 [Link]. & Absorption -
Total 3500 Total 1000
TOTAL 4500

By: Addistibeb Solomon 14

Table 3 Budget Breakdown table for material, manpower and facilities

Budget Breakdown

No Task Descriptions Units or Unit cost Total unit

Quantities (birr) cost (birr)
Equipment, Materials and Facilities details of expenditure
1 Coarse Aggregate 3m3 3200
2 Fine aggregate 3m3 2850
3 Quarry dust 2 Qtl - -
4 Cement 1 Qtl. 1500
Personnel cost for Transportation, feeding and bed room

No Personal quality Amount Time Cost/day Total

1 Researcher cost (Travel) 10000
2 Skilled assistance allowance 1 1 month 300 9000
Stationary Costs to write Paper and others
No Task Descriptions Units or Unit cost Total unit
Quantities (birr) cost (birr)
1 For print results, literatures and paper Var. - 1600
2 Photo copy cost Var. - 800
3 Simple handling Note book 1 100 100
4 White paper 1 package 500 500
5 USB flash 1 300 300
6 Mobile card 20 100 2000
7 Eventuality or Contingency cost Prediction 1000 1000
Sub Total 32,850 birr

Note: all cost specified under the cost break down is assumed by the researcher.

By: Addistibeb Solomon 15

 REFERENCES
1. Ahmed Alshahwany, Rana Mohammed & [Link]. (2018). Influence of Limestone
Powder as Partial Replacement of Cement on Concrete and the Effect of High
Temperature on It.
2. Anzar Hamid Mir (2015), Concrete Properties Using Quarry Dust as Replacement for
Natural Sand. International Journal of Engineering Research and Development Volume
11, Issue 03
3. Ch. Santosh, K. (2021). Partial Replacement of Cement and Fine Aggregate with Stone
Dust in Concrete. International Journal & Magazine of Engineering, Technology,
Management and Research (IJMETMR).
4. Dinesh kumar, K., Rani, P., Venkatesh, N., Salman basha, Sk., & Gouse bhasa, Sk.
(2018). Partial Replacement of Cement with Quarry Dust and Rice Husk Ash in
Concrete. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET).
5. D. Hooton, R., Nokken, M., & A. Thomas, M. D. (2007). Portland-Limestone Cement:
State-of-the-Art Report and Gap Analysis for CSA A 3000. Cement Association of
Canada.
6. Doraiswamy S.K. and Hudson W. R. (1992). Use of Quarry Fines for Engineering and
Environmental Applications. The University of Texas, Austin.
7. Felekoglu B.,( 2007) Utilization of high volumes of lime stone quarry wastes in concrete
industry (Self-compacting concretecase). Resources Conservation Recycling.; 51:4 770-
791. [Link]
8. Gauch, H.G.,(2001) Multivenue Analysis in Community Ecology (1 ed ). Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge,
9. Hamid Ebrahim. (2018) Feasibility of Using Selected Addis Ababa Basaltic Crusher
Dust as Partial Cement Replacement Material in Concrete Production. MSc. thesis, Addis
Ababa university school of graduate studies, Addis Ababa , Ethiopia.
10. Kartini, k., Hamidah, m. S., Norhana, a. R., & Nur hanani, a. R. (2014). Quarry dust fine
powder as substitute for ordinary Portland cement in concrete mix. Journal of
Engineering Science and Technology.
11. Langer, W. H. (2002). Potential Environmental Impacts of Quarrying Stone in Karst- A
Literature Review (1st ed.). [Link]
12. Liguori, V., Ferrotto, M. F., Cavaleri, L., & La Mantia, F. P. (2019). A solution for
quarry limestone dust recycling. In Materials in the Next Decade
13. Martin S. and Verein D. (2011). New cement technologies. Retrieved from
[Link]
14. Manoj, B., Prasanna, L., Sai Krishna, D., Siva Sankar Reddy, B., & Vamsi Krishna, T.
(2017). Partial replacement of cement by quarry dust. International Journal of Research in
Engineering and Technology.
15. Meenakshi, P. (2017). Partial Replacement of Cement by Barites and Lime Powder in

By: Addistibeb Solomon 16

 Concrete. International Journal of Chem Tech Research.
16. Mohankumar, G., & Sudharsan, S. (2017). Study on the replacement of cement and fine
aggregate with quarry dust. International journal of engineering sciences & research
technology( IJESRT). [Link] 10.5281/zenodo.829359
17. Rajendran, D., Christopher, C. G., & Muthu, M. S. (2022). Self - compacting concrete
made with partial replacement of lime stone and quarry dust powder. Research on
Engineering Structures and Materials. [Link]
18. Sairam Kumar, V., Panduranga Rao, Dr. B. P. R., & Sai M.L.N., K. (2013). Experimental
study on partial replacement of cement with quarry dust. International Journal of
Advanced Engineering Research and Studies.
19. Soman, K., Dr. K. A., A., & Miss. Divya, S. (2014). Strength Properties of Concrete with
Partial Replacement of Cement by Granite Quarry Dust. International Journal of
Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT). ISSN: 2278-0181
20. Wondimu, G., & Abebe, D. (2010). The use of limestone powder as an alternative cement
replacement material: an experimental study. Journal of EEA.

By: Addistibeb Solomon 17