EXPERIMENTAL AND ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION OF METAKAOLIN AND QUARRY DUST IN CONCRETE

The increasing demand for sustainable and high-performance concrete has driven the exploration of alternative materials to enhance its properties. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) production significantly contributes to carbon emissions, necessitating the incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials like metakaolin and quarry dust. This study investigates the combined effect of these materials on the mechanical properties of concrete, aiming to optimize its strength and sustainability. A mix design with a 1:1.62:2.89 ratio of cement, coarse aggregate, and fine aggregate was prepared with varying percentages of metakaolin (10% and 12%) and quarry dust (14%, 16%, and 18%). Experimental tests, including compressive, tensile, and flexural strength evaluations, were conducted at curing intervals of 3, 7, and 28 days. The data were analyzed using statistical techniques such as Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) with Taguchi optimization to determine the significance of different parameters and optimize the mix design. Results revealed that the incorporation of metakaolin and quarry dust significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of concrete. The highest compressive strength of 40.6 MPa was achieved with 12% metakaolin and 18% quarry dust after 28 days of curing, showing a remarkable improvement over conventional concrete. Similarly, split tensile and flexural strength also exhibited notable increases, with optimal strength achieved at 12% metakaolin and 16% quarry dust. Statistical analysis confirmed the significant impact of these additives, with quarry dust emerging as the most influential factor in compressive strength improvement. This study underscores the potential of metakaolin and quarry dust as effective supplementary materials, promoting both strength enhancement and sustainability in concrete production. The findings contribute to advancing concrete technology and offer a viable approach for eco-friendly construction practices.