Abstract
Cement is the world’s largest building material and is fundamental to modern socio-economic development. However, its production generates high consumption of energy resources, large emissions of greenhouse gases, and pollutants in the production processes. Due to the above, the standards that formulate the prescription of Portland cements according to the chemical composition have changed in Colombia and established the scope of specifications covering hydraulic cements through performance requirements without compositional restrictions. Therefore, present research characterized the composition of commercial cement for general use in Colombia by fluorescence and X-ray diffraction, along with particle size and morphology by scanning electron microscopy. Subsequently, setting times and mechanical compressive strength were evaluated. The results established little compositional variation and relatively similar characteristics to traditional Portland cements; however, there was evidence of an elevation of Felite, due to the possible inclusion of supplementary alternative cementitious agents and a decrease in Celite, which led to an increase in setting times. In addition, a high-quality control was established in its manufacture through the inclusion of elements that reduce the environmental impact and relation of its components that affect the hardening process.
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