This paper presents the results of using ground dune sand (GDS) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (slag) as high volume cement replacement materials. In this study, plain and four blended mixtures were fabricated and cured under normal and autoclave conditions. For the blended mixtures, 40% GDS by weight of the total binder materials and different percentages of slag (15%, 30% and 45%) were incorporated as partial cement replacement materials. The effect of curing conditions (normal and autoclave) on the compressive strength of prepared mixtures was studied. The results showed that, for the autoclave cured mixture, up to 85% of cement can be replaced by GDS and slag without significant drop in the compressive strength. Microstructure analyses using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) were carried out to examine the microscale changes of the hydrated mixtures. The SEM revealed the formation of thin plate-like calcium silicate hydrate and compacted microstructure of autoclave cured mixture. XRD showed the elimination of calcium hydroxide and existence of residual crystalline silica of all blended mixtures.

Supplementary cementitious materials provide economic and environmental advantages in concrete industry. In this study, natural ground dune sand (GDS) was used as cement replacement material to fabricate mortar specimens. Ordinary Portland cement was replaced by GDS at five levels of replacement (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 %) by weight. The cast mortar specimens were cured under normal and autoclave curing conditions. Compressive strength, drying shrinkage and resistance to sulfate attack were investigated. Results showed that the compressive strength under normal curing decreased as the level of replacement increased. However, under autoclave curing compressive strength increased as the content of GDS increased with 30% being the optimum replacement level. Autoclave curing decreased the drying shrinkage of plain and GDS blended mixtures by about 70% compared to control mixture cured under normal curing. Up to 270 days, no sulfate attack was observed on the GDS blended mixtures regardless of the replacement level. The use of GDS to reduce the Portland cement consumption can have a significant impact on the sustainability and economy of concrete construction.