A real-time approach toward the chemical quality control of rock material (Case study: Gravel mines in Semnan, Iran)

The quality of concrete is highly dependent on the characteristics of its aggregate, such as the size, minerals, and their chemical properties. Even a small amount of impurities, such as hydrated sulfates, chlorine (salt), and acidic pH of the rock material, can adversely affect the quality of the concrete. Thus, many national codes and standards are developed for testing, selecting, and employing the rock materials in concrete. For instance, Iranian standards 446, 449, 1702, 4978, 4984, 7174, and 86721 are currently serving this purpose. In the present research, a new real-time system was developed in order to replace the customary chemical analysis and size distribution tests. 20 samples were taken from two mines, selected by the Building Material Committee of Semnan Province, in order to determine the dissolved chlorine and sulfate, pH, density as well as size distribution. The new system is constituted of hydraulic jacks and a reservoir, designed to take samples from the conveyer in given time intervals. The samples were washed with distilled water and real-time analyses of dissolved chlorine and pH were performed. The results showed 85% agreement with the results from laboratory analyses. The correct classification rate (CCR) was 92% for 13 samples.