Abstract
The silica-rich supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) are the key components of mechanical and microstructural properties. The use of SCMs results in improving the mechanical and microstructural properties and decreasing the environmental burden caused by cement production. In this regard, this paper reports a study to compare the influence of silica-rich supplementary cementitious materials (slag, fly ash, and bottom ash) having similar Blaine fineness on cement mortar composites in terms of mechanical and microstructural properties. First, supplementary cementitious materials (slag, fly ash, and bottom ash) were ground at similar cement Blaine fineness (~ 3300 cm2/g) and then by replacing 5% and 20% with cement, the 7-, 28-, 90-day mechanical and microstructural properties of cement mortar composites incorporating SCMs were examined. As a result, it was observed that the compressive strength and microstructural properties of cement mortar composites incorporating slag gave maximum strength and microstructural properties according to samples with fly ash and bottom ash having similar fineness and this will decrease the required amount of cement for the target properties by using slag, thus the number of CO2 emitted to nature will also decrease.
Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of Polypropylene Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Composites
