An investigation on compressive strength of cement mortar with seashell powder additive

摘要

In order to improve performances of cement mortar and cost consideration,udseveral alternatives have been selected. Among several of natural additives, seashellsudhave been chosen. This is due to its high percentage of calcium carbonate whichudcontributes to toughness property. Moreover, environmental pollution might occur ifudseashells are not properly disposed of. Hence, the potential of seashell powder as anudadditive for cement mortar has been investigated. The objectives of this research are toudidentify the best compressive strength of cement mortar with acceptable percentages ofudseashell powder, to determine modification of modulus elasticity of cement mortar asudwell as to investigate the time to failure against force. A total of 30 cubes of cement udmortar samples were prepared with 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% seashell powder additive.udCube specimens of 100mm x 100mm x 100mm were moulded and cured for ud7thudand 28thuddays. After that, the compressive strength of cement mortar samples with seashell udpowder additive was tested using Universal Tensile Machine. The results revealed thatudthe compressive strength of cement mortar with 1% seashell powder additive is higherudthan control sample. In term of failure, the cement mortar with seashell powder additiveudobtained longer time to failure compared to control sample. In general, seashell powderudhas potential become partially substitution of cement and improve performances of udcement mortar.