Difference in Strength Development between Cement-Treated Sand and Mortar with Various Cement Types and Curing...

Current understanding of soil stabilization lacks clarity on how cement type and temperature influence strength. Prior research has shown that cement content and curing conditions affect compressive strength. However, no prior work had resolved how specific cement types perform in sand versus mortar. This gap motivated a comparison of high early-strength cement with ordinary cement at different temperatures. The study aimed to clarify how these factors interact to affect strength development. Earlier studies focused on cement content alone, not cement type. This paper introduces a new perspective by linking cement composition to hydration effects. The findings could help optimize soil stabilization methods. The need for precise control over curing conditions remains unmet.

The study aimed to compare how different cement types and curing temperatures affect strength development in cement-treated sand and mortar. The specific problem was to determine if high early-strength cement (HPC) offers better performance than ordinary cement (OPC) under various conditions. The motivation was to identify optimal combinations for soil stabilization. The researchers wanted to test if HPC's properties enhance strength more effectively in sand than in mortar. They also sought to understand how temperature influences hydration processes. The study's goal was to provide practical guidance for construction materials. The findings could inform decisions on cement selection and curing. The results might help reduce material waste in geotechnical projects.

The study used compressive strength tests on cement-treated sand and mortar specimens. Specimens were made with high early-strength cement (HPC), ordinary cement (OPC), and moderate heat cement. They were cured at elevated and normal temperatures. Strength was measured at 3 and 28 days. The researchers normalized strength values relative to OPC under normal conditions. They analyzed chemically bound water content as a hydration indicator. Porosity and alite content were also assessed. The approach combined empirical testing with chemical analysis. The study controlled variables like cement content and water-to-cement ratio. The methods included both experimental and comparative analysis.

At 3 days, HPC-treated sand showed nearly double the compressive strength of OPC-treated sand. At 28 days, HPC-treated sand was 1.5 times stronger than OPC-treated sand. Mortar specimens with HPC had lower strength gains compared to sand specimens. HPC contributed more to sand strength than to mortar strength. Early-age effects of HPC were more pronounced than later-age effects. The higher alite content in HPC increased hydration rates. Chemically bound water levels were higher in HPC specimens. Porosity differences between sand and mortar affected strength development. These findings suggest HPC is more effective in sand stabilization. The results support using HPC for temperature-sensitive applications.

The authors concluded that HPC improves strength development more in cement-treated sand than in mortar. They proposed that HPC's alite content and hydration rate explain this difference. The study suggested that elevated curing temperatures enhance HPC's effectiveness. The findings support using HPC in sand stabilization projects. The authors indicated that HPC's early-age performance is more significant than later-age performance. They proposed that porosity and chemically bound water are key factors. The study suggested a novel method for creating internal heat during curing. The results could guide material selection in geotechnical engineering. The authors emphasized the importance of cement type and curing conditions. The conclusions align with the observed strength and hydration trends.