Synergic effects between mineral admixtures on strength and microstructure of concretes

ABSTRACT: The present research aims at evaluating the physical, chemical and synergistic effects of substitution 25% cement in mass by limestone filler (LF), fly ash (FA) and rice husk ash (RHA), in similarity of physical condition (near grain size curves), and to compare the different binary and ternary mixtures of concrete after 28 days of wet curing, keeping the ratio water/cement (w/c) constant. The concrete samples were characterized in relation to the axial compressive strength and their microstructure using TG/DTA and MEV/EDS techniques. The CCA in the binary mixture was the one that obtained bigger compressive strength among the investigated mixtures, but when combined with a less reactive mineral addition in ternary mixtures, an overlap of chemical and physical effects occurred which resulted in better resistance and higher C-S-H formation in the hardened cement paste.