Tuladhar, R., Smith, M., Pandey, G.R., and Joyce, P. (2011) Use of pitchstone fine as a partial replacement of portland cement for sustainable concrete. In: Proceedings of 2011 International Concrete Sustainability Conference. pp. 1-13. From: 2011 International Concrete Sustainability Conference, 9-11 August 2011, Boston, MA, USA.

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Abstract

One of the most effective ways of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from concrete industry is to partially replace portland cement with pozzolanic materials to minimize the use of cement. Pitchstone deposits found in Nychum district in North Queensland, Australia has high pozzolanic properties. The mining site has the potential to provide in excess of 100 million tonnes of high quality pitchstone. The main focus of this research is to investigate the potential of pitchstone fine (PF) as a partial replacement of portland cement. Experiments were carried out to study the effect of PF on the fresh and hardened properties of concrete with 10, 20, 30 and 40% PF replacement of cement by weight. The control mix consisted of 100% portland cement and is designed for 32MPa compressive strength. The results were also compared with a mix with 20% fly ash (FA) replacement of cement to compare the performance of PF with more established SCMs like FA.

Each mix was tested for compressive and flexural strength at 3, 7, 28 and 56-day ages. PF mixes produced lower early compressive strength. The reduction in compressive strength in early days is more profound in the mixes with 30% and 40% PF content. However, at 56 day tests, all the mixes produced comparable strength to the control mix.

The study showed that while the use of pitchstone fine as a partial replacement of cement does not provide the initial high early strengths, remarkable strength can be achieved at later age. Partial replacement of portland cement with up to 20% PF provided optimum results in compressive and flexural strength while ensuring good workability. The study confirmed the potential use of pitchstone fine as a partial replacement of Portland cement.

Item ID:	18452
Item Type:	Conference Item (Research - E1)
Keywords:	concrete, sustainability, natural pozzolans, pitchstone fine
Related URLs:	Organisation
Date Deposited:	10 Sep 2011 21:34
FoR Codes:	09 ENGINEERING > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090503 Construction Materials @ 60% 09 ENGINEERING > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090506 Structural Engineering @ 40%
SEO Codes:	87 CONSTRUCTION > 8703 Construction Materials Performance and Processes > 870301 Cement and Concrete Materials @ 70% 87 CONSTRUCTION > 8703 Construction Materials Performance and Processes > 870304 Stone, Ceramics and Clay Materials @ 20% 87 CONSTRUCTION > 8798 Environmentally Sustainable Construction > 879801 Management of Gaseous Waste from Construction Activities (excl. Greenhouse Gases) @ 10%
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