Avaliação das propriedades mecânicas de argamassas produzidas com resíduos de rochas ornamentais

Abstract

Brazil has an enormous wealth of mineral resources that are extracted through large industrial activities, generating wealth and aspects involving economic, political, and social relations. The ornamental stone sector generates large volumes of waste, mainly rock powder resulting from extraction and processing, whose improper disposal causes environmental impacts and health risks. This research evaluated the partial replacement of cement with ornamental stone waste in mortars for use in non-structural coatings, aiming to analyze its effects on physical and mechanical properties. Mixes with 0%, 5%, 15%, and 25% replacement were produced and subjected to tests for consistency, axial compressive strength, flexural tensile strength, water absorption, void index, and specific mass, according to ABNT standards. The results showed that mixes with 5% and 15% presented consistency similar to the reference (210 mm). Mechanical strength decreased with the increase in waste content, but the mix with 5% maintained values close to the reference at all evaluated ages (7, 28, 56, and 150 days). An increase in water absorption and void index and a reduction in specific mass were observed at higher replacement levels. It is concluded that replacing up to 5% of cement with ornamental stone waste is technically feasible, ensuring physical and mechanical properties compatible with normative requirements. In addition to reducing cement demand, this alternative contributes to mitigating environmental impacts associated with improper waste disposal, presenting itself as a sustainable solution with potential socioeconomic relevance for the construction sect.