Physico-Mechanical Properties of Organo-Modified Bentonite Reinforced Cement Mortars

It is demonstrated that the addition of organo-modified Na-bentonite (OMB) particles to Portland cement mortar can promote its physical and mechanical properties. A series of experimental works on some important physico-mechanical properties of Portland cement mortars mixed with various dosages of hydrophobic OMB were performed. The obtained results confirm that the OMB provides a dense packing effect. An optimum replacement level of around ۳.۵% (by weight) at an increased water-to-cement ratio of ۰.۵۳ results in an almost ۱۱.۴۳% increase in ۲۸-day compressive strength along with about ۲۰.۷۸ and ۱۶.۲۰% reductions in total volume of permeable pore space and water absorption, respectively. Also, at the optimum replacement level, an increase of about ۲.۷۲% is taken place in dry bulk specific gravity.

Keywords:

Organo-modified bentonite , Cationic surfactant , Portland cement , Compressive strength , Water absorption