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Influence of Mineral Admixtures on Essential Properties of Ternary Cement Blends



Author(s)

Eugene Atiemo1, Charles Kwaku Kankam2 and Francis Momade3

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DOI:10.17265/1934-7359/2014.10.002

1. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Building and Road Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana
2. Department of Civil Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
3 Department of Materials Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Two CaCO₃-based materials (limestone and clamshells) and steel slag were used as mineral admixtures in cement to produce ternary blends and their influences on hydration and portlandite formation were analyzed. Additionally, mechanical properties were determined. These properties were determined using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic/energy dispersive X-ray analytical techniques as well as applying methods specified by EN (European Standards) and ASTM (American Standards for Testing and Materials). The portlandite (Ca(OH)₂) content was considerably reduced from 36.9% of reference cement to between 13.79% and 15.5%. Water demand and setting times of the cements containing up to 10%, admixtures did not change significantly. The mechanical tests results showed that ternary blends produced 2-day strengths higher than that specified by EN 197-1 and that blends containing up to 20% admixtures can be used to produce both Class 32.5N and 42.5N cements.

Limestone, clamshells, steel slag, ternary cement, portlandite, compressive strength.