Abstract:
Marble and volcanic scoria are abundantly found in Ethiopia. The chemical composition for
marble and scoria used in this study indicates, marble has 50% CaO and scoria has 54% SiO2. As
these two chemical oxides are the major chemical oxides found in cement, this paper presents the
assessment of the workability, quality, compressive strength, tensile strength, and water
absorption properties of concrete by partially replacing cement with waste marble powder and
volcanic scoria (Red ash). For successful investigation, slump test, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV)
test, compressive strength test, flexural and splitting tensile strength test and absorption test were
conducted. For the experiment, there were 13-different mixes including the control mix. With
marble to scoria ratio of 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1, 5%, 10%, 15% and, 20% of cement was replaced. Water
to cementitious ratio, fine aggregate, and coarse aggregate contents were kept constant for all
mixes. Including the control test specimens, a total of 117 (15×15×15cm) cubes for compressive
strength test, 39 (10x10x50cm) beam specimens for flexural strength test, 39 (10x20cm) cylinder
specimens for splitting tensile strength test and, 39 (10x10x10cm) cube specimens for water
absorption test were cast. The data analysis includes a two-way factorial ANOVA with a 95%
confidence interval. The test results indicate the workability of the fresh mix decreases as the
replacement level increases. From a compressive strength point of view, marble and volcanic
scoria powders could replace cement up to 15% with marble to scoria ratio of 1:1. A 10%
replacement slightly increases the tensile strength at a marble to scoria ratio of 1:1. And for all
marble to scoria ratios the water absorption decreases up to 10% replacement. Generally, a 10%
replacement with a marble to scoria ratio of 1:1 produces concrete which has a slightly higher
compressive strength, tensile strength and water absorption manifestations.
Keywords; Normal strength concrete, Volcanic scoria, Marble, UPV, ANOVA