Optimizing manufactured sand content in mortars and its influence on fresh and hardened state

Abstract

The shape and roughness of aggregates play a predominant role in the properties of cement mixes. Due to that, some regulations limit the content of manufacture fine aggregate at 30% of the total of fine aggregate in concrete. However, few design methods consider the shape and roughness surface of aggregates in the mix proportioning. This study presents an optimization method to increase the percentage of manufactured fine aggregates to be used, based on the void volume of the aggregates and their correlation with the fresh properties of mortars. To achieve that, the characteristics of the fresh and hard state were evaluated in order to carry out a comprehensive analysis on the influence of the method on the performance of mortars. From the results emerges that it is possible to maximize the content of manufactured aggregates without detrimental effects on compressive strength.