Investigation of the Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of Masonry Mortar Made with Seashell Particles
No Thumbnail Available
Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Description
In order to study the mechanical and microstructural properties of masonry mortar, combined
particles of cockle and scallop seashell wastes were incorporated and analysed through destructive
and non-destructive tests. River sand was replaced with the combined seashell particles
(SPs) at seven mixes, viz., 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% with a 0.5 constant water-to-cement ratio
(W/C). A mortar mix design of M4-type of BS EN 1996-1-1 was adopted with a target compressive
strength of 5.17 MPa at 28 days. The physical, chemical and mineralogy properties of the SPs were
analysed through BS standard sieving, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM),
and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. The hardened SP-based mortars were subjected to direct
compressive strength, rebound hammer, ultrasonic pulse velocity tests, and nonevaporable degree of
hydration analysis. The XRF, SEM, and XRD analysis results of the SPs showed over 86% calcium
oxide content, irregular and needle-like particles, and hydroxyapatite/calcium silicates, respectively.
The direct compressive strength and the non-destructive test results revealed that up to 30% sand
replacement with SP in masonry mortar, an improvement of 45% compressive strength could be
attained over the control sample. The nonevaporable water method of the degree of hydration
analysis showed that after 28 days, hydration increased considerably for the SP-blended mortars
over the control, especially the SPM-30 with 30% sand replacement. Therefore, the study concludes
that the investigated SPs in blended masonry mortar could benefit an eco-friendly environment and
conservation of natural resources.
Keywords
TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General), TH Building construction