Effect of nonpozzolanic and pozzolanic mineral admixtures on the hydration behavior of ordinary Portland cement

The effects of nonpozzolanic (marble dust) and pozzolanic (rice husk ash) mineral admixtures on the hydration behavior and mechanical properties of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) have been investigated. The blending of both marble dust (20–60%) and rice husk ash (10–30%) in OPC accelerate the setting as compared to control (OPC). Marble dust addition decreases the strength of OPC and the maximum strength of 54.5 MPa has been achieved on 28 days of curing with 20% of marble dust (CM20). Addition of rice husk ash increases the strength and maximum strength of 65.9 MPa has been observed with 20% of RHA (CR20) blended cement. The formation of various crystalline phases and their effects on hydration behavior of mineral admixtures blended cement were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The changes in microstructure of the hydrated samples were also studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM).