Investigating the Economic and Environmental Feasibility of White Marble Powder as a Partial Cement Replacement in Concrete

Abstract

There is a growing push in the construction industry to adopt more sustainable materials due to the high carbon footprint of ordinary Portland cement. This study evaluates the use of white marble powder (WMP), a waste byproduct of marble processing, as a partial cement replacement in concrete. Concrete mixes were prepared with 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% WMP replacing cement by weight, and tested for workability and mechanical properties (compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength). The 10% WMP mix exhibited the best overall performance, with 28-day compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths increased by approximately 13–14%, 12%, and 9–10% respectively compared to the control mix (0% WMP). Workability (slump) also improved with increasing WMP up to 40%, although mixes with ≥30% WMP showed noticeable strength reduction and potential workability issues (segregation) at the highest replacement. An economic analysis showed that replacing 10% of cement with WMP can reduce cement usage and cost by about 10% per cubic meter of concrete, and an environmental assessment indicated a roughly 10% reduction in CO₂ emissions associated with cement production at this replacement level. Higher replacement levels yield greater cost and CO₂ savings (up to 40% at 40% WMP) but with compromised strength. These findings, supported by recent literature, suggest that a moderate incorporation of marble powder (around 10–15%) is technically, economically, and environmentally feasible, achieving a balance between improved concrete workability, adequate strength, cost savings, and reduced carbon footprint.