Numerous research papers were studied for the literature review.

XRD and SEM analysis

were totally new for testing the mixed specimen. Very less data was available on the mixture

of Pond Ash and Marble slurry Dust. Though, numerous tests were performed on Pond Ash

and Fly Ash. Marble Slurry Dust was tried to be re utilised in Marble Products.

The motive of these tests was to study the mineralogy and morphology of these

particles. It is a well known fact that all the mechanical properties of particles dwells from

very small scale. The amount and type of minerals changes the properties of fly ash and

MSD. Morphology tells us about the packing interlocking and shape of particles. Fly ash

being spherical in shape has a tendency of slipping over one another also it has particles

ranging from nano metre size to micro metre range. This large specific surface tells us about

the pozzolaniac behaviour of fly ash particles.

Where Fly ash is very fine having particle sizes of clay, bottom ash has larger grains

and shows the behaviour of sand. Their mixture which is called Pond Ash attains mixed

properties of clay and sand.

Now electricity is an essential need of any industrial society and no nation can

progress without adequate supply of power. Growth in its demand during the past decades

has been phenomenal and has outstripped all projections. In India also, there has been

impressive increase in the power generation from a low capacity of 1330 MW in 1947 at

Independence to about 81,000 MW at end of March 1995 (Trehan et al. 1996) and at about

1,20,000 MW at the end of August 2005 (India Energy Forum, 2005). However, despite this

substantial growth there still remains a wide gap between demand and supply of power,

which is expected to worsen in the years and decades to come. We already are experiencing

shortage of nearly 8% of the average demand and 16.5% of peak demand. Moreover, with the

quantum jump expected in demand for power in the future due to rapid industrialization and

changing life styles of populace as a result of economic liberation, shortages shall further
increase unless immediate steps are taken to increase power production. It has been estimated

that 1,40,000 MW of additional power would be required to meet such demand by the end of

10th five year plan i.e., year 2007 A.D.(Trehan et al. 1996).

The mineralogical fraction of the fly ash evidenced the presence of the following

components: quartz (SiO2), mullite (A16Si2013), hematite (Fe2O3), magnetite (Fe3O4),

maghemite and rutile (TiO2). The minerals present in the coal utilized by the electricity

generating units studied follow the order of abundance: kaolinite (Al2 Si20S(OH)4), illite

trioct. ((K, Na, Ca)20. 3.33 (Mg, Mn) O -4.3 (At, Fe, Ti) 2 03- 16 (Si, A1)2.4 H2O), quartz (SiO2),

dolomite (CaMg (CO3)2.

The combined results obtained by optical and electron microscopy, X-ray

diffractometry and the dispersive energy X-ray system identified a series of classes on the

basis of: a) the elemental composition, b) the shape of single particle and c) the crystalline

composition. The comparison of the mineralogical compositions of coal and fly ash outlines a

simpler scheme as far as single particle formation is concerned. Silicatic particles constituting

the major fraction of coal fly ash, are formed by melting and consequent rapid solidification

of kaolinite and illite. The crystallization of mullite only rarely occurs. The quartz, present

both in coal and fly ash, undergoes combustion processes without chemical transformation

and is finally found as a fusion residue, while pyrite and siderite are subject to different

degrees of oxidation giving as combustion products Hematite, Magnetite etc. The pyrolysis of

dolomite produces the formation of the rare lime particles observed in the fly ash. Finally the

titanium, mobilized by silicate fusion, is distributed partially in the glassy fraction and

partially re-crystallizes to form the dioxide called ruffle. Following the correlation between
the observation performed in thin section and the data obtained by the gravimetric separation,

a semi quantitative evaluation of the ratio existing between the diverse typologies constituting

the fly ash is achieved.

The CBR test reveals that CBR value increases every time the MSD% is increased.

This can be due to the interlocking of MSD particles in fly ash. Also there could be presence

of hydrated lime in MSD sample which provides strength on hydration and acts as a binder

between materials. The CBR test reveals that CBR value increases every time the MSD% is

increased. This can be due to the interlocking of MSD particles in fly ash. Also there could be

presence of hydrated lime in MSD sample which provides strength on hydration and acts as a

binder between materials. (A.MISRA et al 2004).

Behra and Mishra (2011) studied the effect of Lime on the California Bearing Ratio

Behaviour of Fly Ash - mine Overburden Mixes”. They evaluated the effect of lime on CBR

behaviour of fly ash - mine overburden mixes. Tests were performed with different

percentages of lime (2%, 3%, 6%, and 9%). The results show that the increase in bearing

ratio of fly ash-overburden mixes was achieved by lime treatment. Scanning electron

microscopy (SEM) analyses were conducted on 28 days cured specimens. The SEM study

showed that the bearing ratio development is related to the micro structural development.
 (a) (b)

Fig. (a) Effect of lime on CBR behaviour of overburden-fly ash mixes (b) Effect of lime on CBR behaviour of overburden-

fly ash mixes at 28 days curing.

(a) (b)

Fig. (a) Scanning electron micrograph of (20FA+80O/B) +3L (b) Scanning electron micrograph of (25FA+75O/B) +2L

Based on the test results obtained in the investigation, Behra and Mishra (2011) concluded

the following. Lime content showed a significant effect on increase in CBR value and

pozzolaniac reaction rate of natural pozzolans. The results show that the addition of fly ash

improved the CBR of mine overburden in unsoaked condition. With increase in fly ash

content, the CBR increases up to a certain percentage then decreases due to class F type. The

optimum fly ash content for higher CBR values was 20%. Almost all mixes have CBR values

higher than 40, limit typically considered for sub base and base course construction. The
morphology of all the mixes showed the formation of hydrated gel at 28 days curing. The

voids between the particles were filled by growing hydrates with curing time. Microanalysis

confirmed the formation of new cementitious compounds such as calcium silicate hydrate

(CS-H) gel and calcium aluminate hydrate (C-A-H) gel which leads to increase in bearing

ratio of the material over time.

Okonta and Govender (2011) studied the effect of desiccation on the geotechnical properties

of lime-fly ash stabilized collapsible residual sand Berea Red Sands underlying most of the

Kwazulu Natal midlands and coastal plain is a very recent unconsolidated, weakly cemented

red to brown, collapsible sands. The effect of wetting and drying cycles on the Unconfined

Compressive Strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of compacted and cured

samples of stabilized Berea Sands was investigated. Different sample mix were prepared with

4% and 8% Lime and 0%, 6% 12% and 18% Fly Ash, and tested after 4, 8 and 12 cycles of

wetting and drying. Changes in mass of the stabilized sands were measured to facilitate the

interpretation of changes in strength properties. The results showed reduction in UCS and

CBR with increase in the number of wetting and drying cycles that is dependent on the

amount of Lime and Fly Ash and the ratio of Lime to Fly Ash. For given amount of Fly Ash,

samples stabilized with 8% Lime are more durable than samples stabilized with 4% Lime.

For samples stabilized with 8% Lime, increase in Fly Ash quantities results in an increase in

durability for up to 18% Fly Ash used in this research. The process of wetting and drying

results in general reduction in the mass of the test samples, and the percentage reduction in

mass decreases with increase in quantities of Fly Ash. In the long term, defined by 12 cycles

of wetting and drying, only the 8% lime and 18% fly ash material have adequate CBR under

the operative drainage conditions to sustain the stresses applied by traffic loadings.
 (a) (b)

Fig: (a) UCS of 4% lime and fly ash stabilized Berea sands. (b) UCS of 8% lime and fly ash stabilized Berea

sands, after 7 days of curing.

(a) (b)

Fig: (a) UCS of 4% lime and fly ash stabilized Berea sands. (b) UCS of 8% lime and fly ash stabilized Berea

sands, after 28days of curing.

Based on the test results obtained in the investigation, Okonta and Govender (2011)

concluded the following. In the long term, defined by 12 cycles of wetting and drying, only

the 8% lime and 18% fly ash material have adequate shear strength under the operative
drainage conditions to sustain the stresses applied by traffic loadings. The CBR of the

stabilized mix increases with increase in the quantities of Lime and Fly Ash and decreases

with increasing cycles of wetting and drying. The addition of Fly Ash increases the optimum

moisture content and decreases the maximum dry density. These changes are associated with

the increased coagulation of the fines in the presence of the Fly ash and the lower specific

gravity of the Fly ash displacing the sand particles.

Misra et.al, (2009) carried out extensive research work at CRRI, New Delhi, for bulk

utilization of marble slurry dust (MSD) in road pavement layers, embankments and in

concrete works. They discussed that Grain size analysis revealed that soil collected from site

is coarse grained. Plasticity tests revealed that soil is sand associated with silt of low

compressibility (SM). MSD is very fine and passes completely through 75 µm sieve. Dust

sample used in construction work belong to CL-ML group (mixture of clay and silt of low

compressibility). Effect of mixing MSD (up to 40%) with soil resulted in minor changes in

plasticity of soil .Change in plastic behavior of soil is related to plasticity of added dust.

Load bearing capacity (CBR test) of soil improved with addition of MSD (up to 20%). Dust

made soil slightly cohesive and resulted in better compaction of pavement layers. UCS of

soils with MSD also improved. MSD has low cohesion and high coefficient of internal

friction.
 Fig: Effect of MSD on CBR of soil.

Misra et.al, (2009) concluded that under performance evaluation, test sections

constructed using MSD were found having more strength and stability as compared to the

control sections. Distress progression is slow in case of test sections as compared to

conventional sections. From cost benefit analysis, use of MSD in sub-grade preparation for

a double lane road would save Rs 1,50,00/-per km. In multi lane roads and for high

embankments, savings would increase many folds. MSD can be gainfully utilized in bulk

quantities in construction of road pavement layers and in embankments.

Agrawal & Gupta, (2011) stated that expansive soil causes serious problem on civil

engineering structures due to its tendency of swelling when it is in contact with water and

shrinks when they dry out. Soil stabilization using chemical admixtures is the oldest and

popular method of ground improvement. In this study, the potential of marble dust (by-

product of marble industry) as stabilizing additive to expansive soil is evaluated. The

evaluation involves the determination of the swelling potential of expansive soil in its natural

state as well as when mixed with varying proportion of marble dust (from 0 to 30%). The

marble dust in experimental program is obtained from cutting of Makrana marble. The

environmental degradation due to marble mining is much less than the environmental

degradation caused by the waste from marble processing plants. Many researchers have

reported that marble has very high lime (CaO) content up to 55% by weight. Thus,

stabilization characteristics of Makrana marble dust are mainly due to its high lime content.

Marble dust finds bulk utilization in roads, embankment and soil treatment for foundation.

Particle size distribution, consistency limits, specific gravity, swelling percentage, and rate of

swell were determined for the samples. Addition of marble dust decreases liquid limit,

plasticity index and shrinkage index, increase plastic limit and shrinkage limit. Also

experimental results shows that the swelling percentage decreases and rate of swell increases

with increasing percentage of marble dust in expansive soils. Specimens have been cured for

7 and 28 days. The rate of swelling and swelling percentage of the stabilized specimens was

affected by curing in a positive direction such that effectiveness of the stabilizer increases.

(a) (b)
Fig: (a) Effect of addition of marble dust on free swell ratio of the samples. (b) Effect of addition of marble dust

on swelling percentage of the samples.

Agrawal & Gupta, (2011) concluded that the addition of the marble dust to the expansive

clay reduces the clay content and thus increases in the percentage of coarser particles, reduces

the LL, raises the SL and decrease in the plasticity index of soil and thus swelling potential.

Activity of the soil reduces by the addition of marble dust. As the percentage of stabilizer

increases, swelling percentage, free swell ratio and rate of swell decreases. Samples having

marble dust reached the 50% of total swelling earlier. By curing the samples, the rate of swell

and swelling percentage decreased. Expansive soils can be replaced by marble dust for

reducing the swelling up to 25% to 30% because there is not much difference in swelling

potential and rate of swell for 25% and 30% marble dust added samples.

S.K Das in 2010 examines the suitability of Talcher coal fly ash for stowing in the

nearby underground coal mines based on their physico-chemical and mineralogical analysis.

The physical properties such as bulk density, specific gravity, particle size distribution,

porosity, permeability and water holding capacity etc. have been determined. From the

chemical characterization it is found that the ash samples are enriched predominantly in silica

(SiO2), alumina (Al2O3) and iron oxides (Fe2O3), along with a little amount of CaO, and fall

under the Class F fly ash category. In addition, the mineral phases identified in the ash

samples are quartz, mullite, magnetite, and hematite. The particle morphological analysis

revealed that the ash particles are almost spherical in shape and the bulk ash porous in nature.

From the particle size and permeability point of view, pond ash may be considered a better

stowing material than fly ash.

The white Macael marble was characterized by a new analytical method using X-ray

mono crystal diffraction. The crystal cell parameters are determined by the analysis of the
diffraction data obtained from a twin marble crystal. The cell parameters of white Macael

marble were found to be in an exclusive narrow range which is different to those for most of

white marbles around world. (L. Sánchez, A. Romerosa 2010).

Dr Virender Kumar says in Compaction and Permeability Study of Pond Ash

Amended with Locally Available Soil and Hardening Agent The problem of disposing pond

ash can be reduced by utilising it in large quantities in various engineering works. In the

present study, the possibility of using a locally available fine grained soil to improve the

compaction and permeability properties of pond ash has been investigated experimentally.

Apart from this, the effect of carbonic aluminate salt (CAS) as a hardening agent when added

to pond ash-soil matrix has also been investigated. It has been found that it is possible to use

pond ash as a landfill liner when small quantities of fine grained soil and CAS are added to it.

N Pandian in 2004 carried out investigations on fly ash and showed that fly ash has

good potential for use in geotechnical applications. Its low specific gravity, freely draining

nature, ease of compaction, insensitiveness to changes in moisture content, good frictional

properties, etc. can be gainfully exploited in the construction of embankments, roads,

reclamation of low-lying areas, fill behind retaining structures, etc. It can be also used in

reinforced concrete construction since the alkaline nature will not corrode steel. This not only

solves the problems associated with the disposal of fly ash (like requirement of precious land,

environmental pollution, etc.) but also helps in conserving the precious top soil required for

growing food.

S.R. Kaniraj, V. Gayathri, procured from Dadri and Rajghat thermal power stations.

The following are the conclusions from the study.

1. The light (standard Proctor) compaction characteristics of the two fly ashes were

different. The Dadri fly ash could be compacted to a significantly greater dry unit weight than

the Rajghat fly ash at relatively lower water content. The MDD and OMC of the Dadri fly ash
were, respectively, about 31% more and 46% less than the corresponding values of the

Rajghat fly ash. The small fiber content did not affect the MDD and OMC of the Dadri fly

ash appreciably. In the Rajghat fly ash, however, the effect was a little more marked; the fibre

inclusions increased the MDD and decreased the OMC.

2. In all the triaxial shear tests, the fibre inclusions had a significant effect on the

stress–strain behavior of the specimens. In unconfined compression tests, the raw fly ash

specimens attained a distinct axial failure stress at an axial strain of about 1.5–2.5% following

which they collapsed. But, the fibre-reinforced specimens exhibited a highly ductile

behaviour. The F6DA and F6RA specimens attained peak axial stresses at relatively higher

axial strains than the raw fly ash specimens and then continued to deform under decreasing

axial stress. In the F20RA specimens, Kaniraj and Havanagi (2001) did not observe any

reduction in axial stress even at 15% axial strain. Thus, the length of the fibres seems to have

an influence on the behaviour of the specimens. When short fibres were used, there was a loss

in the strength of the specimens after the attainment of peak stress.

3. In the unconsolidated undrained tests, the deviator stress attained a peak value at

axial strains in the range of 11–14% for the DA specimens and 6–10% for the RA specimens

and thereafter remained almost constant. In the F6DA and F6RA specimens, no peak deviator

stress was reached even at 20% axial strain. This may be a manifestation of the ductile

behavior induced by both the confining pressure and the fiber inclusions. The fiber inclusions

increased the failure deviator stress and the shear strength parameters cuu and fuu: For the

F6DA and F6RA specimens, the values of axial stress at failure determined by the empirical

equation of Ranjan et al. (1996) were higher than the measured values by about 19% on the

average.

4. The behaviours of the fly ash and fly ash–fibre specimens in the drained tests were

similar to their behaviours in the unconsolidated un-drained tests. For the F6DA specimens,
the values of axial stress at failure determined by the empirical equation of Ranjan et al.

(1996) were higher than the measured values by about 16% on the average.

A.K. Solankey, S.K. Handoo tested the potential of marble dust as a coating material

and concluded the following.

1. Coating formulation for finish plastic coat with marble- like surface finish has been

developed in the form of thin, densified layer by using graded inorganic fillers cemented with

small amount of Portland cement.

2. The coating is decorative, durable, not prone to corrosive ion attack due to surface

finish, and hence, suitable both for external as well as interior finish.

3. The hardness of hardened coating is >5 on the Mohr scale, which retained

dimensional stability even when exposed to extreme climatic conditions.

4. The synthetic layer of coating was found to be morphologically and mineralogical

comparable to that of an eggshell but with much greater hardness and improved surface

finishes.

(Dr Praveen Kumar, 2008) Performed various tests on fly ash in roorkee campus

and concluded following:

1. In the modified proctor compaction test, the optimum moisture content for flyash

decreases with increase in fibre content and maximum dry density increases with increase in

fibre content. For Roorkee soil the maximum dry density as well as optimum moisture

content decrease with increase in fibre content.

2. Lab CBR value of flyash at 5.0 mm penetration is more compared to 2.5 mm

penetration.

3. CBR value of flyash increases with increase in fibre content for both soaked and

unsoaked conditions. But the rate of increase is more upto 1.0% fibre content and thereafter
the rate of increase is very less. For flyash with 1.5% and 2.0% fibre content, the CBR values

are same in soaked condition.

6. The cohesion value of flyash slightly changes from 0.7 kg/cm2 to 0.5 kg/cm2 with

addition of 0.5% fibre content to flyash. Thereafter there is no change in cohesion value with

further addition of fibre.

7. The angle of internal friction increases with the addition of fibre content. The maximum

percentage increase in angle of internal friction is at 0.5% fibre content, there after percentage

increase is less.

8. The increase in shear strength of flyash is very high at high confining pressures

compared to at low confining pressure.

9. The value of modulus of subgrade reaction as well as modulus of elasticity increase

by the addition of fibres. K value increases from 9.92 kg/cm3 to 14.24 kg/cm3 with the

addition of 0.5% fibre content. The percent increase in K value for reinforced flyash is 43.55

as compared to unreinforced flyash.

10. The field CBR value at 2.5 mm penetration is more compared to 5.0 mm

penetration. CBR value for flyash is 18.28% and with 0.5% fibre content it is 25.71%. The

percentage increase in CBR is 40.64.

A. MEDINA, R P. GAMERO M, gave two different methods for zeolitization of fly

ash: a conventional hydrothermal method and a fusion method followed by hydrothermal

treatment. Activation of fly ash depended on the nature of the alkali agent and the processing

conditions. KOH promoted formation of zeolite W, by both of the methods studied. However,

the fusion treatment allowed the decrease of the crystallizing temperature from 175 to 150°C

obtaining a higher content of zeolitic phase (90%) than by the direct method (75%). On the
other hand, when NaOH was used, three different zeolites were obtained: P, faujasite and

analcime, their crystallinity was improved when the quantity of NaOH was increased.

The optimal conditions for the zeolitization of fly ash by the direct method were KOH

as alkaline agent, a KOH/fly ash ratio of 0.5, and hydrothermal conditions of 175°C for 16h.

By the fusion treatment, the optimal conditions were: a NaOH/fly ash ratio of 0.62, fusion

temperature of 600°C for 2h and hydrothermal conditions of 150°C for 8h.

Marco Del Monte and Cristina Sabbioni (1984) compared the mineralogical

compositions of coal and fly ash outlines a simpler scheme as far as single particle formation

is concerned. Silicatic particles constituing the major fraction of coal fly ash, are formed by

melting and consequent rapid solidification of kaolinite and illite. The crystallization of

multite only rarely occurs. The quartz, present both in coal and fly ash, undergoes

combustion processes without chemical transformation and is finally found as a fusion

residue, while pyrite and siderite are subject to different degrees of oxidation giving as

combustion products F%O3, "r-Fe203 and F%O4. The pyrolysis of dolomite produces the

formation of the rare lime particles observed in the fly ash. Finally the titanium, mobilized by

silicate fusion, is distributed partially in the glassy fraction and partially re-crystallizes to

form the dioxide called ruffle. Following the correlation between the observation performed

in thin section and the data obtained by the gravimetric separation, a semi quantitative

evaluation of the ratio existing between the diverse typologies constituting the fly ash is

achieved. 90% of the particles have an aluminosilicatic matrix and belong to class 1, 9% are

carbonaceous and about 1% is attributed to the remaining typologies. It is however important

to outline that the bulk composition and the relative ratio of the different typologies (with

particular regard to the glassy, carbonaceous and metallic fractions) constituting the fly ash

are strictly dependent on the furnace design and generating conditions as well as on the coal
composition, while the diverse morphological classes of particles forming during combustion

processes seem to constitute quite a general scheme. The classification proposed by this paper

is closely comparable to that presented by Ramsden and Schibaoka. In addition to their

data, lime and futile particles have also been observed. Lastly, it has been observed that the

bulk fly ash samples, preserved in driers immediately after sampling, if exposed to a high

level of relative humidity nucleate gypsum crystals.

The gypsum is thus confirmed not to be a crystalline phase of fly ash emissions but to

have an airborne origin on the fly ash particles. The acicular crystals of calcium sulphate

found by Fisher et al. were certainly not present at the time of sampling and formed by

heterogeneous chemical reaction at the surface of the single particles. A similar phenomenon

has also been observed for carbonaceous particles emitted by oil combustion. Among a

variety of crystalline phases nucleated by soot particles (after sampling with a high water

vapor level, without the presence of SO2) acicular crystals of gypsum have been found.