Technical properties of fine-grained sand from Nilsiä quarry and its use in earth construction

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Volume Title

Insinööritieteiden korkeakoulu | Master's thesis

Date

2024-06-10

Department

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Master's Programme in Geoengineering (GEO)

Language

en

Pages

42+33

Series

Abstract

Use of recycled glass is increasing due to its environmental and economic benefits. This has now resulted in surplus of fine-grained sand coming out of quartzite quarrying operations within the Nilsiä district that for years has served as one of main raw materials for glass and china production facilities. This excess has created a problem, necessitating a reevaluation and investigation of other applications for this resource. This thesis investigates the suitability of using secondary material and side stream products in combination with fine grained Nilsiä sand as a construction material. The main focus of this study is to determine the technical properties of Nilsiä sand by laboratory testing and evaluate its applicability in earth construction in a sustainable way. Literature review was conducted to find earlier studies conducted concerning the use of fine-grained sand as a construction material. The filler and aggregates used in this study were silica sand from Nilsiä as well as varying sizes of quarry fines. The used binders were namely: cement, fly ash, lime kiln dust and bottom ash. The index properties of fine-grained Nilsiä sand were experimentally measured through sieve analysis test, modified Proctor compaction test and specific gravity test. By using Nilsiä sand and quarry fines as frame material and addition of different binders, four stabilized sand materials were produced. The binders were tested for flexural and compressive strength. A uniaxial compression test was performed to determine compressive strength of all stabilized mixtures. The durability of stabilized mixtures was assessed through a freeze-thaw test. In conclusion, from the two recipes, the stabilized mixtures made of Nilsiä sand, quarry fines 0-8 mm using binders fly ash and lime kiln dust could fulfill the targeted minimum compressive strength of 5 MPa.

Description

Supervisor

Korkiala-Tanttu, Leena

Thesis advisor

Gustavsson, Henry
Iravanian, Anoosheh

Keywords

silica sand, rammed earth, sustainable construction, low CO2 binders

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