Pervious concrete with waste foundry sand: mechanical and hydraulic properties

Abstract

One of the main challenges of the metallurgical industry is the management of the principal waste generated in the production of castings, which is the waste foundry sand (WFS). Potential solutions include the use of WFS in civil construction due to its mineral origin and the high volume available to meet possible demand. This study analyzed the influence of WFS on the mechanical and hydraulic properties of pervious concrete paving blocks. The experimental stage involved mixtures with 0% (reference) and 100% replacement of quartz sand (QS) by WFS, in concrete with consumption of 350 kg/m3 and 450 kg/m3 of Portland cement. Cylindrical specimens, pavers, and pervious concrete slabs were submitted to water absorption, compressive strength, and determination of the permeability coefficient (k) tests. Analysis for physicochemical characterization of leachate samples of the studied concretes was also carried out. After the statistical analysis of the results, it was possible to conclude that the WFS did not change the mechanical (Rc; Rt) and hydraulic (k; absorption) properties of pervious concrete mixes (WFS1; WFS2) when compared to the reference mixes (QS1; QS2). The changes in the results of the physicochemical parameters are related to the higher consumption of Portland cement from mix 2, increasing hardness, total solids, and alkalinity.