Portland Cement Mortar Composite with Partial Sand Replacement by Eggshell Particles

Abstract

Agro-industrial activities generate a large amount of wastes. According to their specific properties, most of them can partially replace mineral aggregates, aiming to produce non-structural cement composites. In this research work, the behavior of a Portland cement mortar with partial replacement of sand by treated eggshell particles (0% to 66%) has been evaluated. Firstly, chemical compatibility between eggshell particles and Portland cement was carried by hydration curves. In a second step, a mixture of cement mortar based on treated eggshell (cold water, warm water and oven-dry) was prepared. Composite hardening was monitored by an ultrasound technique. At initial ages, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) along the time was sensitivity enough to detect the sand-to-eggshell ratio effect. Compressive strength at 28 days ranged from 23 to 9 MPa depending on sand to eggshell particles ratio, which indicated that the composite was suitable for non-bear- ing structures, mainly at rural areas.