Performance and Micro Structural Analysis of Portland Slag Cement Mortar Induced with Pozzolanic Additives
P.Raja Priya1, V.Kannan2
1P.Raja Priya*, Department of Civil Engineering, Francis Xavier Engineering College, Tirunelveli, India.
2Dr.V.Kannan, Department of Civil Engineering, Francis Xavier Engineering College, Tirunelveli, India.

Manuscript received on November 15, 2019. | Revised Manuscript received on November 23, 2019. | Manuscript published on November 30, 2019. | PP: 744-750 | Volume-8 Issue-4, November 2019. | Retrieval Number: D7033118419/2019©BEIESP | DOI: 10.35940/ijrte.D7033.118419

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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Abstract: Portland cement is a kind of cement used where the high strength and durability is needed. Also, this type of cement is essentially used to control the CO2 emission during the manufacturing process of the concrete. This cement is made up of slag with the activator such as alkalis in the form of sodium hydroxide or sodium silicate. However, this addition is increasing the overall cost of the production of concrete. In this research, a new attempt has been made to use the natural activators of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) and Natural Steatite Powder (NSP). This research aims to determine the effects of RHA and NSP with Portland slag cement by partial replacement with 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of RHA and NSP. The influence of the RHA and NSP on the mechanical properties of the mortar was evaluated by measuring the compressive strength and the split tensile strength. The durability properties of the specimens were analyzed by water absorption, sorpitivity and acid attack tests. The analysis of the microstructure of the specimens was done by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra analysis (FTIR). It was observed that the maximum compressive strength and split tensile strength was in 5% RHA and NSP blended mortar. The durability results showed that the 10% RHA and 10% NSP had lesser water absorption and sorpitivity values. From the results of micro structural analysis it was observed that replacing cement with 5% RHA and 5% NSP results in improvement of microstructure of cement mortar.
Keywords: Mechanical Properties, Microstructure Analysis, Natural Steatite Powder, Portland Slag Cement Mortar, Rice Husk Ash.
Scope of the Article: Mechanical Design.