This article presents the influence of granulated foam glass (GFG) on thermal insulation and mechanical properties of lightweight cement mortars. The mortars were additionally modified with addition of ground perlite dust. Ground expanded perlite waste was introduced into the cement matrix in the amounts of 10%, 20%, and 30% of cement mass. The results show that application of this waste increases the strength of the mortars as well as decreases their thermal conductivity coefficient. A series of mortars were prepared with introduction of granulated foam glass with mass per unit filler/cement ratio equal to 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2. The aggregate composition of GFG was combined from different monofractions in the range 0–2 mm so that it filled the mortar volume to the maximum. Additionally, mortars were made, in which 20% of 0–0.25 mm GFG volume was replaced with quartz sand with the same granulation. Each mortar series was modified with addition of ground perlite waste in the amount of 20% of cement mass. The results indicate an improvement of thermal insulation properties along with greater participation of perlite in the mortars. The increase of the thermal conductivity coefficient was observed in the mortars, where the GFG was replaced with quartz sand. Greater amount of GFG results in decrease of compressive strength, but it can be improved by replacing part of the lightweight filler with sand or by introducing the addition of ground expanded perlite to the matrix. This also results in lower water absorption of mortars. Research proved that in most cases, the addition of ground expanded perlite decreased the capillary sorption of mortars, as well as the water absorption coefficient by capillary action, with growing proportion of the lightweight filler.

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The following paper presents the results of research on cement composites with expanded graphite as resistance heating elements. Samples of cement mortar were prepared with expanded graphite obtained from intercalated graphite by means of rapid heating at 1000℃. Monotonic and cyclic self-heating tests of cement composites with differing contents of expanded graphite were conducted. In the monotonic self-heating test, the electrical current and the surface temperature of the cement composites with expanded graphite were measured at temperatures 23℃ and –10℃ in order to evaluate their capacity to generate heat. The maximum temperature of composites, the time required to raise the temperature by 10℃, and the power density were determined. Five cycles were applied in the cyclic self-heating test to investigate heat-dependent mechanical properties. The results of the research revealed that cement composites with expanded graphite exhibited promising properties for application as resistance heating elements.

The study evaluates the use of waste basalt powder as a replacement of cement to enhance hydration of cement and mortar properties. The basalt powder is a waste resulting from preparation of aggregate used in asphalt mixture production. Previous studies have shown that analysed waste used as a fine aggregate replacement has a beneficial effect on some properties of mortar and concrete, i.e. compressive strength, flexural strength and freeze resistance. The present study shows the results of the research concerning the modification of cement paste and mortar with basalt powder. The modification consists in adding the powder waste as a partial replacement of cement. The percentages of basalt powder in this research are 0-40% and 0-20% by mass of cement in the pastes and mortars respectively. The experiments were carried out to determine the influence of basalt powder on cement hydration, as well as compressive and flexural strength. Results indicate that addition of basalt powder as a replacement of cement leads to deterioration of compressive strength. The flexural strength of mortar is improved in some cases. Waste basalt powder only slightly influences the cement hydration.

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