Evaluation of the pozzolanic potential of brick dust and natural pozzolans

Abstract

The following work intends to evaluate the effect of the use of lime and mineral additions as a stabilizer for the production of  compressed earth block, thus seeking to totally or partially replace Portland cement, without modifying the main resistance properties and durability of the blocks. This would reduce considerably the energy contribution required to manufacture them, thus reducing their ecological footprint. The mineral additions mentioned when reacting with calcium hydroxide generate compounds similar to the hydration products of portland cement. Through fixed lime assays, it was sought to determine which mineral addition exhibits greater pozzolanic activity, where it was obtained that natural pozzolans react to a greater extent than artificial ones, in this case brick dust, with calcium hydroxide. In addition, this test determined that the highest pozzolanic activity occurs 28 days after preparation.