Effect of Sand Content on Properties of Self-Consolidating, High-Performance Cementitious Mortar

Abstract

The workability and compressive strength of a high-performance cementitious mortar (HPCM) produced by using a natural siliceous sand were studied as a function of sand content [expressed as sand-to-cementitious materials ratio (s/cm)], silica fume (SF) content, and high-range water reducing admixture (HRWRA) dosage. The purpose of this study was to maximize the proportion of sand content without negatively affecting workability and mechanical and durability properties when these characteristics were achieved at a low cost. Test results indicated that the workability of HPCM became less sensitive to sand content when the SF content increased. Statistical analysis showed that the compressive strength of self-consolidating HPCM was not significantly affected by sand content up to a certain maximum level, which was dependent on the HRWRA and SF dosage. On the basis of combined consideration of both workability and compressive strength, the maximum s/cm ratio to produce a self-consolidating HPCM with SF content at 0%, 10%, and 20% was 1.6, 1.6, and 2.0, respectively. Also, increasing the sand content was helpful in improving the durability of HPCM, because chloride ion permeability and drying shrinkage decreased.