Effect of elevated temperatures on mechanical performance of cement mortar with nanoclay

Abstract

In this research, the effect of nanoclay addition on mechanical strengths of cement mortars subjected to elevated temperatures was investigated. Mortars with three different replacement dose of montmorillonite nanoclay (0, 1 and 2% of cement weight) were prepared and then subjected to 200 °C, 400 °C, and 600 °C for 2 hrs. Compressive and flexural strengths of the heated and unheated specimens were obtained. The results showed that nanoclay addition to cement mortar caused marginal enhancement in its compressive and flexural strengths at room temperature. But, the efficiency of nanoclay to enhance the flexural strength of cement mortar increased at higher temperatures. The maximum relative improvement in flexural strength due to 2% nanoclay addition was achieved at 400°C.