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Description
Waterjet cutting is an industrial technique that uses high-pressure water jets to cut various materials, including metals, concrete, wood, ceramics, stone, rubber, foams, and plastics. To enhance performance in terms of speed and cutting accuracy, abrasive agents like red Garnet sand are mixed with the water, creating the Abrasive Water Jet (AWJ) method. However, this method has environmental drawbacks, such as the production of wastewater, Garnet sludge, and microscopic particles from the cut materials, which are often disposed of in household landfills, causing significant environmental issues. An innovative approach to improve sustainability in construction involves using Garnet sand (SG) wastes in cementitious materials (mortars and concrete) as a partial aggregate substitute. This method offers several benefits, including increased strength and durability, reduced production costs through material reuse, and ecological protection. Preliminary studies conducted by the NIRD URBAN-INCERC Timisoara branch have shown promising results in using SG wastes in regular mortar mixes, aligning with initial international studies in the field. The current paper presents a comprehensive overview on this study, emphasising the current stage of the experimental procedure and the obtained results. With respect to previous stages of the research, the extension of the SG sources as considered, together with new SG sampling from initial sources, in order to validate the consistency of the original results. Long term mechanical properties and durability performance is also considered, for a more complex material evaluation.
