Investigation on the mechanical properties of cement mortar with sustainable materials

Abstract

This present research focuses on the effects of cement mortar by incorporating different agricultural and industrial waste materials as a partial substitute to cement. Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SBA), Fly ash (FA), Rice Straw Ash (RSA) and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) were used as waste materials. Different percentages of mineral admixtures were used by partially altering cement. Percentages used such as, 5%, 10%, and 15%. Also, determined their effects on mechanical properties such as workability, strength and permeability properties in this study. Morphological details were studied by field emission gun-scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. The test results indicated that, the compressive strength of mortar incorporated with FA and RHA shows growth upto 15%, whereas, the strength of RSA and SBA increases upto 10%. SBA shows comparatively lesser strength and higher permeability than that of other admixtures. Beside this, nondestructive tests of mortar cubes by using ultrasonic pulse velocity instrument and rebound hammer are also focused in this study which shows the enhancement of mechanical properties of cement mortar with the incorporation of these sustainable materials.