Comparative study of the effect of crushed dune sand and limestone fillers on mortar properties in aggressive environment
ISSN: 1708-5284
Article publication date: 2 August 2021
Issue publication date: 11 January 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the effect of mineral additions on the mortars’ physical, mechanical and durability properties. Two local mineral additions, considered inert, are chosen: limestone fillers from North-East of Algeria and natural dune sand from Algerian desert areas.
Design/methodology/approach
Two local additions are finely crushed to a fineness greater or equal to that of the used cement and incorporated into the mortars with predetermined rates; (0, 10%, 15% and 20%) compared to the cement weight to examine their effects on the mortars’ properties at different ages. Two conservation environments are chosen: freshwater as a neutral area and rising water table as an aggressive area to appreciate the effect of the two additions on physical and mechanical properties and durability.
Findings
The results showed the beneficial effect of these additions on compactness, mechanical resistance and durability toward the rising water table. The results have also allowed us to make an experimental comparison between the limestone addition which is commonly used in the Algerian cement industry and the dune sand, which is not yet well explored and exploited.
Originality/value
The added value of this study is the use of crushed dune sand which is a local addition of southern Algeria for improving the resistance of mortars and concrete toward the aggressiveness of rising water table which presents a major problem for the infrastructure of civil and public construction.
Keywords
Citation
Logbi, A., Mani, M., Choungara, T. and Kriker, A. (2023), "Comparative study of the effect of crushed dune sand and limestone fillers on mortar properties in aggressive environment", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 85-92. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-09-2020-0437
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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