Effect of Supplementary Cementitious Materials with Similar Specific Surface Area on Cementitious Composite Systems

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of the mechanical and durability properties of cementitious composite systems with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), including fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and bottom ash (BA), with similar specific surface areas (∼3,300 cm2/g). FA, GGBS, and BA were ground to a specific surface area of ∼3,300 cm2/g (about the cement-specific surface area) and then replaced with cement at 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % replacement ratios. The compressive strength, flexural strength, length change, and rapid chloride ion permeability of the cementitious composites incorporating FA, GGBS, and BA with similar specific surface areas were recorded after 7-, 28-, and 90-day curing periods. As a result, cementitious composites containing GGBS improved the mechanical and durability properties at the maximum rate. It was shown that the properties of cementitious composites containing 20 % GGBS yielded better results than the control specimens without any SCMs.