Experimental and Theoretical Study of Water Amount on the Rheological Features of Marble Sludge Grout

The best practical sustainable development solutions for protecting the local environment include reducing the use of raw materials and ensuring proper reuse of key solids. Worldwide, huge quantities of waste marble sludge are produced as a byproduct in the marble industry when marble is cut, shaped, and polished. These wastes pose a significant environmental issue because it is not feasible to stockpile them. The aim of this study is to enhance the value of marble sludge through its reuse as a construction material. The current experimental and theoretical research aims to study the rheological properties of marble sludge grout in relation to the quantity of water applied. For this, eight proposed grout pastes were tested and evaluated using varied ratios of water to sludge (0.6%, 0.8%, 1.0%, 1.2%, 1.4%, 1.6%, 1.8%, and 2.0%). Grout paste chemical and physical features are carried out in order to indicate the rheology and stability properties. Density, grain dispersion, viscosity, volume concentration of the solid, and particle size distribution are the main measured parameters of the proposed marble grout composites. Eventually, the test results for the prepared grout composites show that the best practice water/sludge (W/S) ratio to make an average dispersion of marble grains is about 1.2%. In addition, this ratio makes it possible to acquire grouts with a sufficient viscosity to improve the grout's penetration into the granular matrix. The enhanced workability and flowability characteristics of marble grout with a suitable W/S% demonstrate their advantages in terms of economy and ecology, potentially lowering construction costs and extending the life of the mix's raw materials.