Effects of marble powder and slag on the properties of self compacting mortars

In this study, binary and ternary use of marble powder (MP) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) have been investigated in the production of self compacting mortars (SCMs). The marble powder was obtained as an industrial by-product during sawing, shaping, and polishing of marble. A total of 19 SCM mixtures were proportioned having a constant water-binder ratio of 0.40 and the total binder content of 550 kg/m3. The control mixture contained only portland cement (PC) as the binder while the remaining mixtures incorporated binary and ternary blends of PC, MP, and GGBFS. After mixing, the fresh properties of the SCM were tested for mini-slump flow diameter, mini-V funnel flow time, initial and final setting times, and viscosity. Moreover, compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity of the hardened SCMs were measured. Test results indicated that the inclusion of MP increased the V-funnel flow time, setting times, and viscosity of SCMs whereas decreased the hardened properties. Using GGBFS, on the other hand, decreased the V-funnel flow time and viscosity while increased the setting times of SCMs.