Valorisation of different granite residues in self-compacting mortar

With the publication, in September 2002, of the European standard EN 12620 titled “Aggregates for concrete”, the chance for concrete producers to work with aggregates of high and certified quality has been definitely assessed. However, for the first time, EN 12620 takes into account that aggregates for cementitious conglomerates must not derive only from natural sources, but also from industrial or recycled materials processing. Accordingly, many researches in the field of valorization and characterization of wastes that could be re-used as aggregates are currently running and the possibility to use residues or industrial by-products as filler for self compacting conglomerates (SCC), instead of traditionally used calcium carbonate, appears particularly attractive. In this paper the feasibility to use Hispanic granite sawing residues as filler for self compacting mortar has been investigated and compared to previous results obtained with granite by-products coming from raw materials treatments for ceramic products. Mechanical properties and microstructure of the new conglomerates is discussed.