Title:
Properties of Pozzolanic Mortars Cured in Hot Dry Environments
Author(s):
J. G. Cabrera, P. J. Wainwright, and A. M. Alamri
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
139
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
77-90
Keywords:
blast furnace slag; curing; durability; environments; fly ash; hot weather construction; mortars (material); permeability; porosity; pozzolans; temperature; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/3897
Date:
9/1/1993
Abstract:
Performance properties of mortars made with ordinary portland cement (OPC) and pozzolanic cements containing either fly ash (PFA) or granulated blast furnace slag (GBS) have been measured after exposing the mixes to laboratory-simulated hot dry environments. The simulated environments were: 20 C at 70 percent relative humidity; 35 C at 70 percent relative humidity; and 45 C at 30 percent relative humidity. Specimens were cured for different lengths of time before testing. The tests carried out to assess the performance properties and thus the durability of the mortars were: total porosity, pore size distribution, and gas permeability using oxygen. The tests showed that performance of the mortar mixes is enhanced by increased curing time. Uncured specimens subjected to hot dry environments (45 C at 30 percent relative humidity) were strongly affected by their durability characteristics as shown by the deterioration of the performance indicators. OPC mortars were severely affected by the hot dry environments independent of the length of curing. Pozzolanic mortars subjected to curing periods of 1 day or more in hot dry environments exhibited better properties than equivalent mortars cured at normal temperature.