The use of volcanic scoria from ‘Djoungo’ (Cameroon) as cement replacement and fine aggregate by sand substitution in mortar for masonry

Abstract

In this paper, the utilisation of volcanic scoria from ‘Djoungo’ (Cameroon) as cement and fine aggregate replacement in Portland cement masonry mortar was investigated. Four natural pozzolans NPs powders: BP, DRP, RP and YP with 8401, 8631, 7708 and 8059 cm²/g blaine fineness respectively from a different colour (Black, Dark red, Red and Yellow) and fine volcanic scoria aggregate VSA grading 1–5 mm were produced from volcanic scoria. Investigation was carried out on two groups of mortars samples, mortars containing NPs as cement replacement by 25 and 45% by mass (OPC/NPs mortars) and mortars containing VSA as sand substitution at level of 25, 50, 75 and 100% by mass (VS mortars). Flow value, fresh and dry density, dynamic modulus and mechanical strengths of mortars at 28, 56 and 90 days were evaluated. Average dry densities of OPC/NPs mortars and VS mortars mixtures were ranged from 2043 to 2112 kg/m³ and 1381 to 1945 kg/m³, respectively. OPC/NPs mortars and VS mortars mixtures developed around 11.9–28.3 MPa and 9–19.4 MPa compressive strength, respectively. Based on these results, adding ‘Djoungo’ volcanic scoria as cement replacement or by sand substitution in the appropriate ratio in mortar can be applicable for masonry.

Keywords:

• Masonry
• mortar
• cement replacement
• fine aggregate
• volcanic scoria
• Cameroon

Acknowledgments

This work was conducted in the Laboratoire Traitement des Minerais of Département des Mines of Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Rabat ((ENSMR), Morocco) and in the Centre of Materials and Building Technologies (C_Made) at University of Beira Interior-Covilhã, Portugal.