An experimental investigation published earlier this month has aimed to reveal the influence of metakaolin (MK) and quarry dust (QD) on the overall performance of blended concrete.

Researchers at the National Institute of Technology in India focused on evaluating the effects of these materials on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete.

MK, a pozzolanic material, and QD, a fine aggregate by-product, emerge as potentially sustainable options to enhance concrete performance and lessen environmental impact.

The inclusion of varying percentages of MK contributes to an enhanced pozzolanic reaction, leading to improved strength development.

Additionally, the study evaluates the optimal dosage of MK, when combined with QD, and examines the collaborative impact on mechanical properties such as compressive, flexural, and split tensile strength in M20-grade concrete.

The findings showcase the impact of metakaolin and quarry dust on the comprehensive performance of blended concrete. Through cost analysis, it was demonstrated that the optimal mix has the potential to decrease the overall material cost for M20-grade concrete by 7%–8%.

Additionally, energy analysis revealed a 7%–8% reduction in energy consumption with the optimal mix.

The effective application is assessed using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to identify the optimal solution among the chosen criteria. As per the AHP analysis, the most effective combination of MK and quarry dust is determined to be 12% and 16%, respectively.

This combination outperforms all other trial mixes in the study, and shows the potential uses of both metakaolin and quarry dust in the concrete production process.

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Article: Parmar, N.R., Salla, S.R., Khungar, H.P. and Kondraivendhan, B. (2024), "Characterizing the behaviour of blended concrete incorporating metakaolin and quarry dust: an experimental investigation", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print.