Sustainable self-compacting mortars: mechanical, durability and microstructural evaluation with cement replacement materials under aggressive environmental conditions

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the mechanical, physical and durability properties of environmentally friendly self-compacting mortars produced using materials containing industrial waste and natural stone. The test series were produced by substituting diatomite (D) and C class fly ash (F) with Portland cement (PC) up to 30% by weight. To evaluate the workability, mechanical and durability properties of self-compacting mortars (SCM), a total of 19 series, one of which was a reference sample, were prepared. The samples, whose mechanical properties and durability properties were investigated under sulphate attack and freeze-thaw effects, were prepared as 40 & times; 40 & times; 160 mm, and the series, whose physical properties were examined, were prepared as 50 & times; 50 & times; 50 mm. Also, SEM/EDS (Scanning Electron Microscope - Energy Dispersive X-Ray) and XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) analyses were carried out to evaluate the microstructural properties of the mixtures. When the 90-day compressive strength results were examined, it was determined that the highest decrease in compressive strength compared to the control sample occurred in the D20F10 sample with a rate of 61%, and the least decrease occurred in the D5 series with a rate of 10%. When the losses in compressive strength were evaluated after 50 freeze-thaw cycles, it was determined that there was a 100% reduction in the binary and ternary series containing D15 and D20. After six months of sulphate exposure, the D5F25 sample exhibited the most significant compressive strength reduction at roughly 40%, whereas the D15F15 series experienced the least compressive strength decline at around 5%.