Investigation of utilization of manufactured sand in cement mortar

Abstract

This paper presents results of an experimental investigation carried out to study the influence of particle shape and fines content of crushed rock fines on workability and strength of cement mortar. Different types of crushed rock fines such as commercially available manufactured sand (i.e. plastering M-sand, concrete M-sand), processed and unprocessed quarry dust are considered in this investigation. The flow cone test is used to evaluate angularity of particles. The flow table test and ball drop methods are used to evaluate the workability of mortar. Results show that strength of harden mortar increases with the increase of angularity of particles. However, when the fines content is high, strength decreases even with a high angularity. It is also observed that workability of fresh mortar decreases with the increase of angularity and fines content of fine particles.