Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2025
06:27
Sandy Soil Improvement through Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation MICP by Immersion
Published on: September 12, 2019
9.4K
Performance of Self-Compacting Mortars Using Ground Seashells as Recycled Sand
Ágata González-Caro1, Antonio Manuel Merino-Lechuga2, David Suescum-Morales2
1Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Córdoba, E.P.S of Belmez, Avenida de la Universidad s/n, E-14240 Córdoba, Spain.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 25, 2025
Summary
Recycled Acanthocardia tuberculata seashells can replace natural sand in self-compacting mortar, enhancing durability. This sustainable approach benefits coastal industries by reducing waste and improving construction materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Construction industry relies heavily on natural sand, leading to resource depletion.
- Coastal areas possess abundant seashell waste, posing disposal challenges.
- Recycling seashell waste presents an opportunity for sustainable construction materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of milled Acanthocardia tuberculata seashells as a fine aggregate replacement for natural calcareous sand.
- To evaluate the performance and durability of self-compacting mortar incorporating seashell aggregates.
- To assess the viability of seashell waste for circular economy principles in construction.
Main Methods:
- Three replacement levels (0%, 50%, 100%) of natural sand with seashell aggregates were tested.
- Different powdered/sand ratios were studied.
- Fresh properties (workability) and hardened properties (strength, density, porosity, water absorption, dimensional stability) were evaluated.
- Advanced analyses included X-ray, thermogravimetry, and differential thermal analysis.
Main Results:
- Mortar with seashell aggregates showed superior durability compared to natural sand.
- A slight reduction in workability and mechanical strength was observed.
- Key performance indicators like compressive strength, flexural strength, and porosity were analyzed at 28 days.
Conclusions:
- Incorporating Acanthocardia tuberculata seashells into cementitious materials offers environmental advantages and supports the circular economy.
- Seashell aggregates provide enhanced durability in self-compacting mortar.
- This research promotes sustainable construction practices by utilizing coastal waste.
Keywords:
circular economyindustrial by-productmilled seashellsself-compacting mortarsiliceous fillerMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Mortar Properties
110
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...
110
01:20Strength of Cement
121
Strength tests for cement are not performed directly on neat cement paste due to difficulty in obtaining consistent, reliable specimens. Instead, cement is typically tested in the form of cement-sand mortar.
For compressive strength tests, ASTM C 109-05 standards prescribe a cement-sand mix ratio of 1:2.75 and a water/cement ratio of 0.485 for making 2-inch cubes. These cubes are mixed, cast, and cured in saturated lime water at 23°C until testing. Flexural strength testing, outlined in...
For compressive strength tests, ASTM C 109-05 standards prescribe a cement-sand mix ratio of 1:2.75 and a water/cement ratio of 0.485 for making 2-inch cubes. These cubes are mixed, cast, and cured in saturated lime water at 23°C until testing. Flexural strength testing, outlined in...
121
01:25Deleterious Substances in Aggregate
141
Deleterious substances in aggregates can be detrimental to the quality and durability of concrete. These substances include organic impurities like loam, which interfere with cement hydration and are usually present in the sand. These prevent a good bond between aggregate and cement paste. Organic impurities can be detected using the colorimetric test, where the darkness of a solution after agitation indicates the level of organic content.
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...
141
01:14Testing Water Quality
103
When the quality of water for concrete preparation is uncertain, its impact on the setting time of cement and compressive strength of mortar is assessed by comparison with de-ionized or distilled water benchmarks. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) C1602 requires the setting times to be within 90 minutes of the control, British Standard (BS) 3146:1980 allows a 30-minute variance in the initial setting, while British Standards European Norm (BS EN) 1008 specifies initial setting...
103
01:29Mortar
203
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...
203
01:22Effect of Sea Water on Concrete
163
Concrete exposed to seawater can undergo degradation like the dissolution of ettringite and gypsum, increasing the material's porosity and decreasing its strength. In contrast, the crystallization of salts within the concrete's pores can cause expansion, particularly above the waterline where evaporation occurs. Nonetheless, this expansion only happens when seawater, enabled by the concrete's permeability, manages to infiltrate the structure.
Concrete in areas between tide marks,...
Concrete in areas between tide marks,...
163