Investigation of Dolomite Aggregate Long-Term Cementation and Its Potential Advantage for Building Roads

Kong, Taeyun; Kothari, Chirayu; Qamhia, Issam; Tutumluer, Erol; Garg, Nishant

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130571 Copy

Description

Title

Investigation of Dolomite Aggregate Long-Term Cementation and Its Potential Advantage for Building Roads

Author(s)

• Kong, Taeyun
• Kothari, Chirayu
• Qamhia, Issam
• Tutumluer, Erol
• Garg, Nishant

Issue Date

2025-12

Keyword(s)

• Quarry By-Product
• Underutilized Quarry Material
• Carbonate Aggregate
• Dolomite
• Hydrotalcite
• Freeze-Thaw Durability
• Chemical Stabilization

Date of Ingest

2025-12-12T12:26:53-06:00

Abstract

This study investigated the mechanical strength and freeze-thaw durability of carbonate-based aggregate quarry by-products (QBs) stabilized with cement alone and in combination with calcined clay (metakaolin, MK) for potential use in pavement foundation layers. The primary objective was to evaluate the chemical and physical characteristics of dolomitic and limestone QBs and determine how these factors influence strength development and durability under different stabilization conditions. Four QBs with varying carbonate compositions, ranging from highly dolomitic aggregates to nearly pure limestone, were examined. QBs were stabilized with 3% cement and tested under short- and long-term curing conditions. Short-term testing indicated the curing period was insufficient for the mineralogical properties of carbonate aggregates to fully manifest; instead, performance was governed primarily by physical characteristics, particularly particle packing. In contrast, long-term testing showed the effects of carbonate mineralogy became more pronounced, as the mineral components began contributing more noticeably to overall performance. Dolomitic QBs demonstrated superior strength and stiffness development along with higher retention of these properties after 10 freeze-thaw cycles due to the formation of hydrotalcite, a magnesium-aluminum layered double hydroxide phase. When cement was partially replaced with MK at the optimum MK-to-cement ratio of 1:4, both early-age and long-term performance improved relative to cement-only specimens. Chemical analyses showed that MK participated in pozzolanic and carboaluminate reactions, producing additional calcium-alumino-silicate-hydrate (C-A-S-H) gels and carboaluminate phases. Since MK rapidly consumed available calcium hydroxide to form C-A-S-H gel and carboaluminate phases, hydrotalcite formation was suppressed. This mechanism resulted in comparable long-term performance for all QBs, irrespective of carbonate types. The findings demonstrate that carbonate-based QBs can be transformed into high-performing, durable, and sustainable pavement foundation materials when their physical and mineralogical properties are considered properly and supplementary cementitious materials such as MK are incorporated effectively.

Publisher

Illinois Center for Transportation/Illinois Department of Transportation

Has Part

ISSN: 0197-9191

Type of Resource

text

Genre of Resource

technical report

Language

eng

DOI

https://doi.org/10.36501/0197-9191/25-013

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