High temperature resistance of self compacting mortars made with ground vermiculite

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the effect of mineral additive use on strength and durability properties of self-compacting mortar (SCM) production. Fresh mortar experiments and hardened mortar experiments were used to determine the workability properties and strength and durability characteristics of SCMs, respectively. In experimental studies, 0-2 mm and 2-4 mm river aggregates were used in the production of SCM. Grinded expanded vermiculite (EV) as mineral additive was replaced by CEM I 42.5 N cement at 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%. Raw vermiculite (RV) was replaced by CEM I 42.5 N cement at 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% instead of aggregates. While the amount of binder and the super plasticizer was kept constant with 630 kg/m3 and 6 to 8 kg/m3, respectively, the water/binder ratio was changed. 13 different mixtures were prepared including control sample. In order to determine the fresh properties of all SCM mixtures, mini-slump flow and viscosity experiments were performed. Flexural, compressive strength and high temperature experiments were applied to determine the hardened properties of SCMs to 40x40x160 mm prismatic samples. Density, porosity, total water absorption and capillary water absorption experiments were applied to 50x50x50 mm cube samples. According to experiment results, the fresh properties of the mortars with the mineral additive have complied with the criteria of self compactibility. While expanded vermiculite additive has increased water absorption values, the mechanical properties have weakened. The type and amount of mineral additive used affected the high temperature resistance.