Influence of water quality and slag on the development of mechanical properties of self compacting mortar

Abstract

The present research deals with the impact of the quality of water sources as an alternative to tap water on the hardened and fresh characteristics of self-compacting mortar. Laboratory chemical tests were carried out for water samples collected from four sources- non-potable well water, Tigris river water, untreated wastewater from local factories, and tap water. Water from the four sources was used to pour self-compacted mortar specimens in presence of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as pozzolanic materials up to 30% with 10% increment which replaced with cement by weight. Slump flow diameter, V-shape flow time, compressive strength, flexural strength, and water absorption ratio tests were performed for self-compacted mortar specimens. The experimental results showed a slight improvement in slump flow of self-composted mortar mixtures using non-potable well water in the presence of 10% GGBFS. There is a significant improvement in slump flow for mixtures that used Tigris River water as an alternative to tap water. The compressive strength of self-compacted mortar at 7 and 28 days using Tigris river water, in the presence of10%, 20%, and 30% GGBFS were developed better than non-potable well water and untreated wastewater.