Workability Strength and Elastic Properties of Cement Mortar with Pond Ash as Fine Aggregates

Abstract

Natural sand obtained from river beds are normally used as fine aggregates in preparation of cement mortar. Due to increased demand and excessive extraction of river sand; there is an acute shortage in different parts of the world. Various research agencies are striving to investigate the properties of mortar with alternate fine aggergates such as M-sand, Pond ash, slag sand etc. Present study investigates flow, strength, density and elastic properties of cement mortar at various replacement levels of alternate fine aggregate, Pond Ash. Masonry and two types of plastering mortars were prepared with river sand as fine aggregate. Flow characteristics of masonry and plastering mortar were studied till attainment of flow of 85 and 110% respectively. River sand was replaced by pond ash at replacement levels of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% and flow test was conducted. Effect of replacement on flow characteristics was studied. Mortar cubes and prisms were cast and tested for compressive strength and Modulus of elasticity. Results indicate that water cement ratio required to attain the target flow increases with pond ash. The compressive strength of mortar decreases with increase of pond ash. Reduced density and modulus of elasticity were observed in pond ash mortar when compared to river sand mortar. Hence pond ash can be used as an alternate to river sand in production of lean mortar and blocks