No abstract

Pozzolans have demonstrated to be highly efficient mineral additions in the concrete industry, because they reduce the environmental impact generated by the cement manufacture, improve the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of blends, and reduce costs. Calcined clays have been recognized as very good pozzolans, because they improve the durability and compressive strength of mortars and concretes. However, data reported by different authors show a very high variability that makes its modelling difficult. In the same way, and based on a review of the scientific literature, the relationship between morphologic characteristics, thermal treatments and mineral composition of clays and its pozzolanic reactivity is shown; as well as with the chemical, thermal and mechanical methods for improving that reactivity.

In the present study, samples of excavated waste clays were thermally activated at 550 °C and 650 °C, these clays with low kaolinite content and presence of dickite have a limited industrial exploitation but are widely availability in developing countries and have the potential to use as pozzolanic material. The effects on the calcium hydroxide fixation and the compressive strength were evaluated in lime pastes and mortars blended with calcined excavated clays. The experimental results and statistical modelling using multiple regression analysis showed that the compressive strength at 28 days increased 5%, when the kaolinite increased up to 20% and dickite up to 40%, for a clay with SSA of 4000 cm2/g and calcined at 550 °C. Also, by increasing SSA up to 6000 cm2/g and calcination temperature up to 650 °C, the compressive strength increased 10% and 15%, respectively.