Examining the suitability of Tripoli as admixture in cement paste

Abstract

Tripoli is a soft, very fine earth material that is nearly pure silica. It is known in trade market as (soft Silica). Tripoli is found in village of Aynun at Karak province 150 km to South of Amman in Jordan, and in Tafila 230 km to South of Amman, Jordan. Current research aims to test the use of Tripoli in cement paste through testing consistency, water/cement (w/c) ratio and penetration, initial and final setting times, density, and compressive strength. Tripoli was added to cement paste at ratios 20, 40, and 60%. Findings explained that 20% Tripoli is optimum, it achieves 2094 kg/m3 in density, and w/c ratio and penetration increase with the increase of Tripoli. W/c ratio is 0.365 and penetration is 32.75 mm for 20% content of Tripoli. Compressive strengths are 3.25Mpa, 5 Mpa, and 7 Mpa for 7-, 14-, and 28-day on 20%. Initial and final setting times are 3.15 h and 3.5 h, respectively, at 20% Tripoli content. Tripoli can be used as admixture in cement paste and as additive in cement production to produce specific type of cement that has specific initial and final setting times especially in hot weather and for sustainability of construction materials.