Investigation of Natural Pozzolan and Perlite as Alternatives to Cement in Mortar

Abstract

In this study, mineral materials sourced from northwest Algeria are examined as a specific case study. The main focus is on evaluating the feasibility of incorporating natural pozzolan and perlite as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cement in the composition of mortar. The study involves assessing the mechanical properties and water absorption of the mortars at different time intervals. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy is employed to scrutinize the compositions and structures of the mortar. While mortars with pozzolanic elements initially exhibited reduced strength compared to the reference mortar, enhancements became evident over time. Despite a higher water absorption rate in pozzolanic mortars, the addition of 10% perlite resulted in the least absorption among all pozzolanic mixes. The research underscores the potential of natural pozzolan as an eco-friendly substitute for cement in mortar applications, emphasizing its viability and substantial contributions to environmentally conscious construction practices.