Title: Impact of Calcined Clay Particle Size on Mortar Performance

Author(s): Anna Landreville

Publication: Web Session

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Date: 10/17/2021

Abstract:
The influence of calcined clay particle size on the performance of mortars was investigated. Samples of calcined kaolin were milled to produce a variety of particle size distributions, with median particle sizes ranging from 1-10 microns. Finely ground samples had high specific surface areas that resulted in reduced flow and increased water demand in mortar mixes. Coarser calcined clays required less water to achieve flow values that were equal to the control mixes. The milled calcined clay samples were tested in mortars using a range of water-cement ratios. The water-cement ratio is a critical factor that impacts the compressive strength development of mortars. Typically, an inverse relationship is observed between the water-cement ratio and compressive strength. However, some finely ground calcined clays showed improved compressive strengths with increasing water-cement ratios. This effect is not observed in other pozzolans.