Mineral powder based on basalt insulation waste for asphalt concrete

Abstract

The article discusses the composition and production technology of mineral powder using waste basalt insulation. This study aims to confirm the hypothesis about the possibility of using basalt waste in the production of mineral powder with technical parameters corresponding to approved standards for the production of asphalt concrete. For definition of qualitative indicators of the received product in comparison with the control sample the researches of the basic indicators of mineral powder according to operating norms are given. Such indicators as grain composition of mineral powder, porosity and density were determined, indicating a more dense structure of the developed composition: the content of particles finer than 0.125 mm – 91.4 %, finer than 0.063 mm – 82.2 % with porosity index 28.1 % and true density 2.49 g/cm3. It was found that the mineral powder from waste basalt mineral slabs has a uniform and balanced grain distribution. At moisture content of samples less than 0.1 % by weight the bitumen capacity index of the tested mineral powder sample in comparison with the control sample showed better value by 2 g, at the same time the degree of swelling of samples from the mixture of powder and bitumen showed better result by 0.1 %. The obtained results indicate that the mineral powder on the basis of waste is able to hold bitumen well on its surface, which contributes to the improvement of adhesion between bitumen and mineral particles. The lower degree of swelling characterizes the increased water resistance and frost resistance of asphalt concrete with the use of this mineral powder. Considering that basalt mineral slabs are waste, their use in the production of mineral powder for asphalt concrete fits into the concept of sustainable construction and can contribute to waste reduction and environmental sustainability of the construction process.