Scientific and technical studies on eco-efficient binary cements produced with thermally activated ichu grass: Behaviour and properties. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frías, Moisés; Caneda-Martínez, Laura; Sánchez de Rojas, M. Isabel; Tenazoa, Carlos; Flores, Elena
• Is Part Of: Cement & concrete composites. Volume 111(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Ichu ash -- Pozzolanic behaviour -- Binary eco-cement -- Physical-mechanical properties; Composite-reinforced concrete -- Periodicals; Concrete -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composites de ciment -- Périodiques; Béton -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Béton léger -- Périodiques; Cement composites; Composite materials; Composite-reinforced concrete; Concrete; Lightweight concrete; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2020.103613
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-9465

Abstract

Abstract: The present research study analyses, for the first time, the viability of using thermally activated ichu grass as a supplementary cementitious material for the design of future eco-cements. To this end, the ichu ash resulting from the activation was characterised and its pozzolanic activity, the evolution of its mineralogical phases during the pozzolanic reaction and the physical-mechanical behaviour of the blended cementitious matrices were analysed. The results show that ichu ash exhibited high pozzolanic activity in a pure pozzolan/lime system as a consequence of its high reactive silica content. Conversely, its use in a pozzolan/cement system gave rise to negative effects due to the presence of important alkali contents in the ash (9.6% Na2 O eq). The blended cements presented greater water demand, reduced capillary absorption, increased resistivity and lower mechanical properties (10–14%) as well as reduced average pore size than the reference mortar. These blended cement matrices comply with the physical-mechanical requirements established in the standards for the production of eco-cements.