Microstructural and Compressive Strength Analysis for Cement Mortar with Industrial Waste Materials

Cement production uses large quantities of natural resources and contributes to the release of CO۲. In order to treat the environmental effects related to cement manufacturing, there is a need to improve alternative binders to make concrete. Accordingly, extensive study is ongoing into the utilization of cement replacements, using many waste materials and industrial. This paper introduces the results of experimental investigations upon the mortar study with the partial cement replacement. Fly ash, silica fume and glass powder were used as a partial replacement, and cement was replaced by ۰%, ۱%, ۱.۵%, ۳% and ۵% of each replacement by the weight. Compressive strength test was conducted upon specimens at the age of ۷ and ۲۸ days. Microstructural characteristic of the modified mortar was done through the scanning electron microscope (SEM) vision, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was carried out for mixes with different replacements. The tests results were compared with the control mix. The results manifested that all replacements present the development of strength; this improvement was less in the early ages and raised at the higher ages in comparison with the control specimens. Microstructural analysis showed the formation of hydration compounds in mortar paste for each replacement. This study concluded that the strength significantly improved by adding ۵% of silica fume compared with fly ash and glass powder.Cement production uses large quantities of natural resources and contributes to the release of CO۲. In order to treat the environmental effects related to cement manufacturing, there is a need to improve alternative binders to make concrete. Accordingly, extensive study is ongoing into the utilization of cement replacements, using many waste materials and industrial. This paper introduces the results of experimental investigations upon the mortar study with the partial cement replacement. Fly ash, silica fume and glass powder were used as a partial replacement, and cement was replaced by ۰%, ۱%, ۱.۵%, ۳% and ۵% of each replacement by the weight. Compressive strength test was conducted upon specimens at the age of ۷ and ۲۸ days. Microstructural characteristic of the modified mortar was done through the scanning electron microscope (SEM) vision, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was carried out for mixes with different replacements. The tests results were compared with the control mix. The results manifested that all replacements present the development of strength; this improvement was less in the early ages and raised at the higher ages in comparison with the control specimens. Microstructural analysis showed the formation of hydration compounds in mortar paste for each replacement. This study concluded that the strength significantly improved by adding ۵% of silica fume compared with fly ash and glass powder.