Exposure of calcined clay and low calcium flyash-based mortar on moderate acid environment

Abstract

The resource management is one of the crucial issues in managing the various natural resources available. Presently, the application of cement in construction industry is very frequent in producing different structural elements. Such use of cement in preparing structural formworks emits a reasonable amount of carbon dioxide and other hazardous gases into the atmosphere during the manufacturing of cement. As a result, these mechanisms pollute the environment and degrade the thickness of the protective layer of ozone. Several concerns and measures have been taken to lower the footprint of carbon emission. One of them is the adoption of pozzolana. In the present study, Class F fly ash and calcined clay is taken as the substitute for ordinary Portland cement in 4%, 8%, 12%, 16%, and 20% for making mortar cubes cured up to 90 days. The cubes were subjected to the analysis of consistency, initial and final setting times, compressive strength, and acid attacks. The study revealed the interaction of pozzolans with the properties of the mortars and dependencies of the present proportions in forming the strength of the mortar cubes.