Using of marble mud waste in the production of building materials

The storage of marble sludge, containing wet and chemical precipitants, in marble factories in our country and its failure to be transformed into any added value is considered one of the most significant environmental problems. The aim of this study is to explore the current situation and issues in the marble industry in the Bucak District of Burdur Province, along with investigating the usability of marble sludge generated in marble production processes as a building material. In this study, a 10-stage process was carried out, including literature review and data collection, a survey conducted in 19 marble factories in the Bucak District, acquisition and analysis of marble sludge waste, transformation of marble sludge into marble dust, preliminary experiments and simulations, the experimental process, mold research stage, building material production stage, comparison of the produced building materials with products available in the market, and synthesis stages. In the study, the current situation and problems related to management, personnel, marble production and waste in marble factories were revealed and discussed through a questionnaire survey. Marble sludge wastes obtained from marble factories in closed containers after pressing were subjected to some physical tests and processes and used as fine aggregate in foam concrete. A total of 32 different mixtures were cast with 4 sub-samples in 8 different test series. Compressive strength tests were performed on each specimen on the 3rd day, 7th day, 28th day and 90th day after casting and the data were compared with similar studies in the literature. As a result, sample exterior cladding products were manufactured as building materials and compared with equivalent products. Thus, it has been proved that marble sludge wastes can be produced as building material. Recommendations have been made to the relevant stakeholders. Keywords: Marble Waste (sludge), Sustainable Building Material, Ecological Architecture, Bucak (Burdur), Marble Factories