Utilization of sandblasting waste as additives to enhance mechanical performance of concrete mortar

Abstract This research explains about the utilization of sandblasting waste, a byproduct of the shipping industry’s blasting process, as an additive in concrete mortar. The blasting process involves spraying silica sand to remove impurities from hull layers, resulting in waste that contains heavy metals like Fe2+, Mn4+, and Cr3+. Given its hazardous nature, alternative disposal methods are necessary to reduce landfill accumulation. By pre-treating this silica sand through cleaning and grinding, a new material, Ground Sandblasting Waste (GSW), with a particle size of approximately 390.4 nm and 94.75% SiO2 content, was produced. Concrete mortar specimens with dimensions 5 x 5 x 5 cm were prepared with GSW added in 1%-5% by weight of cement. Furthermore, this research also explores the combination of GSW with another additive named silica fume with a percentage of 6%. The compressive strength tests showed that adding 2% GSW and GSW-SF combinations, with proportions of 2% and 6% from the cement weight, greatly enhanced performance of mechanical the concrete mortar. This research highlights the potential for using pre-treated sandblasting waste to improve concrete performance and manage hazardous waste effectively in the shipping industry.