Strength and Durability of Mortar Incorporating Roof Tile Powder as Partial Cement Replacement Material

Abstract

The paper discusses the effects of using roof tile powder (RTP) as a partial cement replacement material in mortar mixes. An experimental study of mortar made with Pozzolona Portland cement (PPC) and 15% of PPC replaced by RTP was tested for the strength and durability properties, to determine the effect of RTP on mortar properties and was compared to control mortar mix. An extensive experimental study was carried out including physical property, chemical analyses, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on RTP and water absorption and sorptivity on mortar containing RTP. Mortar specimens were tested for compressive strength at age of 28 days. To investigate the mortar for its durability, the specimens after initial curing of 28 days in fresh water, were immersed in solutions of 2.5% sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), 3% hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution, 3% sulphuric acid (H2SO4) solution and 3.5% sodium chloride (NaCl) for another period of 4 months. Through this period, the specimens were tested for change in compressive strength and weight loss at 56, 90, 120 and 150 days to evaluate its durability.