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Mortar Properties

Mortar Properties

Mortar properties encompass a range of characteristics crucial for construction and masonry work, including workability, water retention, bond strength, durability, compressive strength, volume change, and appearance. Workability refers to mortar's ability to be easily applied and manipulated without sagging or falling off surfaces, which is important for efficient masonry unit placement and alignment. Water retention is essential to prevent the mortar from losing moisture too quickly to...

Mortar

Mortar

Mortar, a mixture of Portland cement, hydrated lime, sand, and water, is a crucial binding material in construction. Its primary function is to join masonry units together, filling gaps and ensuring a uniform distribution of weight across the structure. This helps in preventing potential weaknesses. Mortar also serves as a protective barrier against environmental elements such as water and wind, thereby safeguarding the interior of the structure. It also compensates for surface irregularities...

Superplasticizers

Superplasticizers

Superplasticizers are advanced admixtures that enhance the workability of concrete by lowering the water content without compromising the strength of the material. These substances are highly effective water reducers, improving concrete flow, making it easier to work with, and enabling concrete to reach inaccessible areas or densely reinforced sections without mechanical vibration. The key components in superplasticizers are either sulfonated melamine or naphthalene formaldehyde condensates,...

Additives and Fillers in Concrete

Additives and Fillers in Concrete

Additives and fillers are integral to enhancing the properties of concrete. Pozzolans and blast-furnace slag are additives or admixtures due to their reactions with calcium hydroxide released during cement hydration. Fillers, which are finely ground and similar in fineness to Portland cement, improve concrete attributes such as workability density, and reduce capillary bleeding or cracking. Some fillers possess hydraulic properties or participate in benign reactions within the cement paste.
The...

Pozzolans

Pozzolans

Pozzolans are siliceous or aluminous materials blended with Portland cement. They interact with the calcium hydroxide produced during the hydration of Portland cement and contribute to improved strength and durability of concrete. The pozzolanic activity, a measure of a pozzolan's effectiveness, is typically assessed using the strength activity index, as defined in ASTM C 618-93, which calculates the ratio of the compressive strength of cement mixtures with and without pozzolan.
Fly ash is...

Waterproofing and Anti-Bacterial Admixtures in Concrete

Waterproofing and Anti-Bacterial Admixtures in Concrete

Concrete's susceptibility to water absorption is due to the capillary action within the pores of its hydrated cement paste. This action draws water in, creating the need for waterproofing admixtures to prevent such penetration. The efficacy of these admixtures is contingent upon the water pressure, with variations arising from different conditions such as rain, capillary rise, or hydrostatic pressure in structures intended to hold water.
Waterproofing admixtures render concrete hydrophobic,...

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Updated: Jul 9, 2025

The Effect of Construction and Demolition Waste Plastic Fractions on Wood-Polymer Composite Properties

The Effect of Construction and Demolition Waste Plastic Fractions on Wood-Polymer Composite Properties

Published on: June 7, 2020

Formulating Geopolymer Mortars through Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) Recycling: A Comprehensive Case Study.

Stefania Manzi¹, Luca Baldazzi¹, Andrea Saccani¹

¹Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, Via Terracini 28, 40131 Bologna, Italy.

Materials (Basel, Switzerland)

|December 9, 2023

Summary

Alkali-activated metakaolin mortars with recycled concrete aggregates show reduced compressive strength due to adhered mortar layers. This study explores their properties as sustainable concrete alternatives.

Keywords:

construction and demolition waste geopolymers mechanical properties porosity

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Civil Engineering
Environmental Science

Background:

Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is increasing globally, necessitating sustainable recycling practices.
Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) production has high CO2 emissions, driving demand for alternative binders.
Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) offer a promising eco-friendly alternative to OPC, especially when combined with recycled aggregates.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the feasibility of using recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) in alkali-activated metakaolin (AAM) mortars.
To analyze the properties of fresh and hardened AAM mortars incorporating RCAs.
To identify challenges and their impact on the performance of AAMs with RCAs.

Main Methods:

Formulation of various mix designs for alkali-activated metakaolin mortars with different percentages of RCAs.
Characterization of fresh properties (e.g., workability) and hardened properties (e.g., compressive strength, porosity) of the mortars.
Microstructural analysis to understand the effect of adhered mortar on RCAs and the alkali-activation process.

Main Results:

The adhered mortar layer on RCAs increased open porosity and hindered alkali activation of metakaolin.
Compressive strength decreased with increasing RCA content: 20 MPa (12.5% RCA) and 15 MPa (25% RCA) at 28 days.
Strength reduction was significant (35% and 50%) compared to mortars with natural aggregates.

Conclusions:

While AAMs with RCAs show potential as sustainable materials, the adhered mortar layer poses a significant challenge.
Further research is needed to mitigate the negative effects of adhered mortar on RCA properties for improved performance.
Optimizing RCA treatment or AAM formulations is crucial for developing viable eco-friendly concrete alternatives.