The Effect of Using Lightweight Aggregate on Some Properties of Cement Mortar

Abstract

The aim of this research is to produce lightweight cement mortar with properties better than reference ordinary cement mortar. Porcelanite stone were utilized as lightweight aggregate with a volumetric partial substitution of fine aggregate. The process includes using different percentages (5, 10, 15 and 20 %) of pre-wetted (24hr.) porcelanite to produce lightweight mortar with internal curing. Water curing was used for reference mortar mixture and air curing for the other mixtures of porcelanite substitution. Compressive strength, flexural strength, density and ultrasonic pulse velocity for different ages (7, 14 and 28 days) have been tested. The results show an improvement in the properties of cement mortar especially in replacement percentage of 10 %.