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Abstract
This study reports the results of investigation to assess the suitability of volcanic ash (VA) and pumice (VP) powder to be used as cement
additives. Pozzolanic activity of VA and VP was tested according to the Italian standard and found to be acceptable. The strength activity
index with Portland cement and the effectiveness of VA and VP admixture in controlling alkali-silica reaction and autoclave expansion were
tested according to ASTM standards. Mortar cubes were specially prepared as per ASTM standards for these studies using different mixes
with varying percentages of VA and VP (0–40%) as cement replacement. The results are then compared with ASTM requirements to assess
the suitability of VA or VP as cement additives.
D 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Volcanic ash; Volcanic pumice; Pozzolan; Alkali-silica reaction; Autoclave expansion; Cement additive
like other pozzolanic materials such as fly ash [11,12]. 2.3.2. Autoclave expansion
Several tests were conducted to study the suitability of VP The autoclave expansion test provides an index of
and VA as pozzolanic materials. potential delayed expansion caused by the hydration of
The pozzolanic activity of VP and VA was tested CaO, or MgO, or both, when present in the Portland cement.
according to the Italian Standards [14] where the samples This test was performed in accordance with ASTM C 151-
were mixed with cement and water and kept for 1–2 weeks. 00 [17]. In this study, in addition to the control mix, four
The total alkalinity (OH ) and lime concentration (CaO) is other mixes with 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of the cement
then measured. The material is considered pozzolanically replaced by finely ground VP and natural VA passing
active if the level of concentration falls below the lime through 45 Am sieve were tested. The control mix had 650 g
solubility isotherm (Fig. 1). The results indicate that all VP of Portland cement (ASTM type I) and sufficient water to
and VA samples fall below the lime solubility isotherm and give a paste of normal consistency in accordance with the
are therefore pozzolanically active. Being pozzolanically procedure described in ASTM C 187-98 [18]. Cubes,
active, VP and VA have cementitious characteristic and can 2525 mm in dimensions, were prepared from these paste
economically be used as a cement additive to manufacture mixes. The change in length of the test specimens was
blended cement. calculated by subtracting the length comparator reading
before autoclaving from that after autoclaving, and reported
2.3. Pumice and volcanic ash as cement additives as percent of effective gage length to the nearest 0.01%. The
test results are presented in Table 3. The autoclave
2.3.1. Alkali-silica reaction expansion of the paste mixes decreased with the increase
Tests were performed to determine the effect of ground of VP and VA content. All mixes containing up to 40% VP
VP and natural VA on the expansion caused by the alkali- or VA, satisfy the ASTM C 618 [16] requirement of 0.8%
silica reactions. The test was performed, with some maximum.
modification, according to ASTM C 311 [15], which
requires a control mixture to be prepared with 400 g of 2.3.3. Strength activity index
low alkali cement, 900 g of borosilicate glass and water to The strength activity index test was performed on VP and
obtain a flow of 100–115%. The test mixes on the other VA materials using a slightly modified form of ASTM C
hand, used Portland cement (ASTM type I), clean silica 311[15], which calls for the replacement of the cement in
sand instead of borosilicate glass and finely ground pumice the mortar mix, by 20% of VP or VA. In this study, in
or natural VA passing through 45 Am sieve. The VP and VA addition to the control mix, four other mixes with 10%,
replaced the Portland cement by 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% 20%, 30% and 40% of the cement replaced by finely ground
(by mass) in four different mixes. Mortar cubes, 5050 mm VP and natural VA passing through 45 Am sieve. The
in dimensions, were prepared from these mixes and stored in control mix had 500 g of Portland cement (ASTM type I),
temperature around 38F2 8C. The cube lengths were 1375 g of graded standard sand and 242 ml of water. Mortar
measured periodically to the nearest 0.002 mm for 14 days. cubes, 5050 mm in dimensions, were prepared from these
The average expansion values of the cubes on day 14 as mixes and stored in a saturated limewater solution until
Table 4
Compressive strength and strength activity index (SAI) of the mixes
VP and VA VP VA
content (%) Avg. strength (MPa) SAI (%) Avg. strength (MPa) SAI (%)
7 days 28 days 7d 28 days 7 days 28 days 7 days 28 days
0 (control mix) 27 36 – – 27 36 – –
10 26 34 96 94 27 36 100 100
20 23 30 85 83 26 34 96 94
30 22 28 81 78 22 27 81 75
40 21 24 78 67 21 24 78 67
1144 K.M.A. Hossain / Cement and Concrete Research 35 (2005) 1141–1144
tested for their uniaxial compressive strengths at 7 and 28 PNG Halla Cement Factory and The PNG Department of
days. The results are presented in Table 4. It is found that Works is appreciated.
the compressive strength generally decreases with the
increase in the VP or VA content. The strength activity
index (SAI), which is the ratio between the strength of the References
tested samples and the strength of the control samples, is
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[15] ASTM C 311-00: Standard test methods for sampling and testing fly
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Acknowledgement USA.
[16] ASTM C 618-00: Standard specification for coal fly ash and raw or
The author is grateful to the Papua New Guinea calcined natural pozzolan for use as a mineral admixture in concrete,
University of Technology and PNG Ready Mixed Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Philadelphia, USA.
Concrete for providing assistance in this project. The [17] ASTM C 151-00: Standard Test Method for Autoclave Expansion of
Portland Cement, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Philadelphia,
author is also grateful to the Technical staffs of the USA.
materials laboratory of the Department of Civil Engineer- [18] ASTM C 187-98: Test Method for Normal Consistency of Hydraulic
ing and National Analysis laboratory. Assistance of the Cement, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Philadelphia, USA.