Effect of curing conditions on the strength properties of mineral compounded self-compacting mortar

Strength of mortars that were manufactured with fly ash (FA) and silica fume (SF) under various curing conditions was investigated in the experimental study performed. Within this context, 12 series of mortar samples were produced together with the control mortar being 10%, 20% and 30% FA substituted; 6%, 10%, 14% SF-substituted samples and 10% FA+ 6%SF, 10%FA+ 10%SF, 10%FA+ 14% SF, 20%FA+ 6%SF, 20%FA+ 10%SF substituted binary mixtures. Total 144 40x40x160 mm mortar samples were prepared, and they were in turn closed with city water, air, damp cloth and paraffin and kept in this way at for different curing periods. Tensile strength and compression strength of mortar samples were measured for all curing types and curing periods at deflection. At the end of the study, it is established that mortars samples kept in city water and damp cloth among those subjected to standard curing had the highest strength. It is observed that tensile strength of mortars coated with paraffin was high. Samples containing 10%FA gave the best result in comparison to mineral additives. Also, positive effect was observed on the compression strength of samples containing SF. Keywords: Fly ash, Silica fume, City water supply, Damp cloth, Paraffin, Deflection, Strength