INCORPORATING FLY ASH CENOSPHERE (FAC) AS A PARTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR FINE AGGREGATES INTO CEMENT MORTAR

Abstract

An experimental investigation is carried out to assess the properties of Fly Ash Cenosphere (FAC) based cement mortar in producing Lightweight cement mortar. The physical, morphological, chemical, and mineralogical properties of FAC are analyzed from the lab investigations. FAC's impact on cement mortar properties with varying percentages of FAC replacing manufactured sand and with varying curing duration is studied. The strength of FAC-based cement mortar is analyzed in terms of a specific strength which provides a comparable relation of compressive strength and density of mortar in the production of lightweight mortar. The density of the cement mortar gradually reduces with the increase in the FAC content. At the same time, the initial decrease in strength was observed, followed by an increase in strength up to 15% replacement. A further reduction in strength occurred up to 30%. However, there was a significant increase in strength after 30% replacement, reaching an optimal level at 60% replacement. No considerable increase in strength was observed at later-age of cement mortar.