Potential Use of Calcined Silt of Dam as a Pozzolan in Blended Portland Cement

Abstract

This paper presents results of an experimental study which investigates the effect of industrial pozzolan made from calcined silt of dam at 750 °C for 5 h, on mechanical properties and durability of ordinary mortar, compared to the silica fume. Mortar specimens prepared with 5, 10 and 15 % of calcined silt to substitute cement were evaluated for their compressive and flexural strength, sulfate, acid and penetration of chloride ions resistance. The results were compared with ordinary mortar (without addition) and mortar containing 10 % of silica fume. The results obtained showed that the calcined silt of dam has a high potential to be used as a pozzolanic material, it improves the strength and the durability of mortar and compete the silica fume.