Use of limestone obtained from waste of the mussel cannery industry for the production of mortars

Various types of cement-SiO{sub 2}-CaCO{sub 3} mortar were prepared by replacing quarry limestone aggregate with limestone obtained as a by-product from waste of the mussel cannery industry. The CaCO{sub 3} aggregate consists mainly of elongated prismatic particles less than 4 {mu}m long rather than of the rounded particles of smaller size (2-6 {mu}m) obtained with quarry limestone. The mechanical and structural properties of the mortars were found to be influenced by aggregate morphology. Setting of the different types of mortar after variable curing times was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) techniques. Mortars with a high content in mussel shell limestone exhibited a more packed microstructure, which facilitates setting of cement and results in improved mortar strength. The enhanced mechanical properties of the new mortars allow the cement content in the final mortar composition to be decreased and production costs to be reduced as a result.

[1]  B. Johannesson,et al.  Microstructural changes caused by carbonation of cement mortar , 2001 .

[2]  J. Adams,et al.  Thermal analytical investigation of unaltered Ca(OH)2 in dated mortars and plasters , 1998 .

[3]  N. Al-Akhras,et al.  PROPERTIES OF TYRE RUBBER ASH MORTAR , 2004 .

[4]  T. Cerulli,et al.  Durability of traditional plasters with respect to blast furnace slag-based plaster , 2003 .

[5]  A. Fernández,et al.  Morteros de albañilería con escombros de demolición , 1997 .

[6]  Xiaozhong Wu,et al.  Influence of fly ash and its mean particle size on certain engineering properties of cement composite mortars , 2005 .

[7]  K. Hsu,et al.  Spent FCC catalyst as a pozzolanic material for high-performance mortars , 2004 .

[8]  J. Lanas,et al.  Masonry repair lime-based mortars: factors affecting the mechanical behavior , 2003 .

[9]  H. Uchikawa,et al.  Influence of microstructure on the physical properties of concrete prepared by substituting mineral powder for part of fine aggregate , 1996 .

[10]  G. Rao,et al.  INVESTIGATIONS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SILICA FUME-INCORPORATED CEMENT PASTES AND MORTARS , 2003 .

[11]  C. Poon,et al.  The influence of different curing conditions onthe pore structure and related properties of fly-ash cement pastes and mortars , 1997 .

[12]  Kenneth C. Hover,et al.  Mercury porosimetry of hardened cement pastes , 1999 .

[13]  A. Moropoulou,et al.  Characterization of structural byzantine mortars by thermogravimetric analysis , 1998 .

[14]  Maria J. Mosquera,et al.  Pore structure in mortars applied on restoration Effect on properties relevant to decay of granite buildings , 2002 .

[15]  J. Lanas,et al.  MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF NATURAL HYDRAULIC LIME-BASED MORTARS , 2004 .