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Effect of lime water on the properties of silica fume blended cementitious

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Indian Journal of Engineering & Materials Sciences
Vol. 24, December 2017, pp. 491-498

Effect of lime water on the properties of silica fume blended

cementitious composite
S Maheswarana*, V Ramesh Kumara, Mohammed Saffiq Rehemana, Smitha Gopinatha,
A Ramachandra Murthya & Nagesh R Iyerb
a
CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre, Taramani, Chennai 600 113, India
b
Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR Campus, Taramani, Chennai 600 113, India
Received 5 August 2017; accepted 16 May 2017
This study is to investigate the setting time and strength properties of cementitious composite mortars blended with silica
fume by the replacement of 10, 20 and 30% of cement with two types of lime water. Concurrently, cement pastes for each of
the above mix proportion are prepared to study the hydration kinetics by using XRD analysis. The ordinary potable water
has been completely replaced with two types of lime water for all the samples except control samples. The results of setting
time experiments show that there is a considerable reduction in the initial and final setting times for both the cases of lime
water and silica fume blended cement pastes compared to control sample. The lime water with ionic level suspension tends
to increase the compaction and early strength of the mortars. Though the lime waters without silica fume reduces the
strength of mortars, the specimens with silica fume and lime water tends to show increase in compressive and split tensile
strengths, influenced by the binary blended cementitious composites which improves both early strength and later strengths.

Keywords: Saturated lime water, Natural lime water, Silica fume, Cementitious composite, XRD, Strength properties

Concrete is a highly heterogeneous material produced
by mixture of finely powdered cement, aggregates of
various sizes and water with inherent physical, chemical
and mechanical properties. A reaction between the
cement and water yields calcium silicate hydrate, which
gives concrete strength and other mechanical properties,
as well as some more by-products including calcium
hydroxide (CH), ‘gel pores’, Aft (Ettringite), Afm
(Monosulfates) etc. Despite the hydrated cement and
their by-product materials are available everywhere in
the concrete, the reactions within the concrete during
setting (fresh state) and hardening (gain strength) are
difficult to control and this is an ongoing problem in the
concrete industry. The American Society of Testing and
Materials (ASTM) defines1 pozzolan as a siliceous or
alumino-siliceous material that in itself possesses little or
no cementitious value, but in finely divided form and in
the presence of moisture will chemically react with
alkali and alkaline earth hydroxides at ordinary
temperatures to form or assist in forming compounds
possessing cementitious properties1.
Hence, it is imperative for the evolution of new
materials for improved performance for engineering
applications. Newer materials are obtained by
__________
*Corresponding author (E-mail: sudha_mahesh@yahoo.com;
smahes@serc.res.in)
innovative and intermixing of existing materials at
component level. It is well known that the concrete, in
a 2-phase system comprises of cement paste and
aggregates (fine and coarse), the aggregates are inert.
The amorphous phase calcium–silicate–hydrate
(C–S–H) is the ‘‘glue” that holds concrete together.
1/3 of the pore space is comprised of gel pores and the
rest are capillary pores. Interfacial transition zone
(ITZ) is the zone of bonding between cement paste
and aggregates. Porosity of the paste as well as the
proportion of CH in this zone is considerably higher
than in the bulk paste. This zone forms the weak link
in the concrete, and is usually the site of first
occurrence of cracking in concrete.
The concrete is the most widely used construction
materials due to its low cost and long durability.
Generally, the production of every ton of Portland
cement releases about the same quantity of CO2, a
greenhouse gas in to the atmosphere, which is
accounted for 7-8 % of total CO2 emission2,3. Hence,
the need for the cement replacement is a primary
factor in construction industry. With the advent of
various supplementary cementitious materials
(SCMs), construction field has achieved enormous
potential applications by the way of reduction in
cement consumption, enhanced properties and
reduced carbon foot print. Utilization of these
492 INDIAN J. ENG. MATER. SCI., DECEMBER 2017
industrial by-products and/or wastes are either as
cement replacement materials or as aggregates in
concrete presents environmental benefits. For the past
three decades, pozzolanic materials showed much
interest in construction for their influence on the
higher performance of the concrete4,5. The concrete in
fresh as well as in the hardened state, the
supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as
silica fume (SF), fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast
furnace slag (GGBS), rice husk ash (RHA),
metakaoline (MK) etc improve the pozzolanic activity
and also densifying the concrete by means of packing
of the solid materials in the system (filler effect) by
occupying some of the spaces/pores between the
aggregate particles. Also, different SCMs have been
replaced in certain percentages for cement to get new
or improved properties of concrete in addition to
reduction in carbon foot print and achieved
great success.
The pozzolanic activity of SF enhanced the
hydration activity in cement pastes, because of its
amorphous form with high specific surface area. But
it is reported in the literature6-9 that the early age
strength cement paste is very low. Beyond 90 days,
SF is consumed by CH resulting in improvement of
later day strength9. Apart from pozzolanic activity of
SF, it also acts as filler in concrete, which fills the
pores and voids between the cement paste and
aggregates leading to more compaction of concrete10.
The guideline for the use of SF and its beneficial
influence in concrete has been reported by many
researchers11. ACI committee11 also suggested the use
of SF up to 12% of replacement of cement. Oner
et al.12 reported that the fly ash reaction needs calcium
hydroxide (CH) crystals to improve concrete
properties, they have added lime powder with fly ash.
Mira et al.13 observed that the above stated reaction
exhibits significant improvement in concrete
durability rather than any influence in the
development of concrete strength. The treatment of
concrete with lime is assured by ASTM14, but it
should be used as curing water for mortar cubes.
Barbhuiya et al.15 observed that the incorporation
of hydrated lime with silica fume in fly ash concrete,
there was an improvement in early age compressive
strength. It was concluded that both the strength and
durability of the fly ash concretes could be improved
by the addition of either hydrated lime or silica fume,
however, the quantification of the hydrated lime and
SF on the long-term strength development and
durability are not reported. It has been studied earlier
by some researchers that a high degree of silica fume
agglomeration in cement pastes or mortars due to
inadequate dispersion. This agglomeration of silica
fume can reduce its effectiveness on properties of
cement paste and mortar, because of the existence of
SF particle clusters and a lower pozzolanic reactivity.
Slurried silica fume is a liquid mixture composed of
un-densified powder and water in equal proportions
by weight, which promises a better dispersion into the
concrete mix and which has rarely been studied in
literature. Rossen et al.16 have studied the
composition of C-S-H in slurried SF cement pastes,
and found that the reduction of portlandite and
increase in C-S-H quantity. Zhang et al.17 have
compared the compressive strength of materials made
of slurried and densified SF (DSF) and noticed that
the non-evaporable water content and compressive
strength of paste containing DSF are lower than that
containing undensified silica fume. Grist et al.18
showed interest in natural lime-based hydraulic binder
with 25% SF by mass of cement and observed that the
continual increment of compressive strength up to 90
days of curing. Recently, the strength development of
lime–pozzolana pastes with silica fume and fly ash has
been studied by Koteng et al.19 and they observed that
lime based pozzolana pastes can reduce the weight of
the structural elements and the overall cost of structures.
Other than conventional SCMs of micro-sized
materials, a series of research studies20-26 were
conducted by using various nano-sized particles such
as nano-SiO221,22, nano-Al2O323,27,28, nano-TiO225,
nano-Fe2O326 etc towards their effects in the
mechanical properties of concrete. Senff et al.21
investigated the effects on various properties of
mortar with nano-silica and micro-silica (SF) at
different proportions. The effects of lime water on the
mechanical and setting properties of nano- Al2O3 up
to 2% blended cement had higher split strength
compared to that of the concrete without nano- Al2O3,
when the specimen cured in saturated lime water for
28 days. At the same time, it was observed that the
workability has decreased for fresh concrete
especially cured in lime water27,28 . The effect of lime
water on the properties of non-traditional materials
like nano-Zr2O3 incorporated concrete has been
studied by Nazari and Riahi29 and observed that
optimum level of nano- Zr2O3 with 2% replacement
of cement in concrete cured in lime water for 28 days
showed the enhancement in strength, but there was
 MAHESWARAN et al.: SILICA FUME BLENDED CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITE 493

reduction in the setting times as the replacement level water filtrate is obtained by slaking of lime obtained
increases. from calcinations of natural seashells (labeled, LW)
There is hardly any study which clarifies optimum and the second lime water is obtained by dissolving
use and/or consumption of SF in the concrete system commercial calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) (labeled,
at early or later stage. Generally, the pozzolanic LD) received from Merck Millipore, Division of
activity (the chemical reaction of CH crystal with Merck with high purity. The lime water filtrates for
SCMs) starts only after the formation of hydrated calcium hydroxide is obtained from full saturation
product of cement. That is, the formation of CH (~1 g/L) of calcium hydroxide in water. The pH and
crystals occurred after the hydration of C3S and C2S conductivity of the prepared solutions along with
in the cement. It is well known that the hydration of potable water are given in Table 2. The increased
C3S is shorter than C2S hydration; hence there is a conductivity value of the slaked lime water may be
delay in pozzolanic activity. The early pozzolanic due to the mobility of more ions in this particular
activity could be achieved by using hydrated lime of case. Moreover, the alkalinity (higher pH) level of
lime water solution in place of ordinary potable water. lime waters is more than that of potable water and this
Therefore, this study is planned to investigate the will be useful when reacting with SCMs such as SF.
influence of two sources of lime water in the binary The chemical composition of the raw materials is
blended cementitious composites in the paste and analyzed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer
mortar level. It is also aimed at to find the consistency (Bruker S4 Pioneer). Bruker’s D2 PHASER X-ray
level, setting time properties, hydration process and diffraction (XRD) system, equipped with 1-D
mechanical properties of Portland cement based LynxEye detector is used in the present study and it
composite containing SF and mixed with lime water. employs Cu-Kα radiation (30 kV, 10 mA) with Nickel
filters. A continuous scan of 2θ from 10° to 60° in
Materials and Methods step width of 0.020 and counting time of 0.5 s per step
The cement used for pastes/mortar is 53 grade is performed on less than 25 µm size powder samples.
ordinary Portland cement (OPC) conforming to Experiments are designed to evaluate the
IS: 12269 – 198730 and the physical and chemical performance of Portland cement based materials
properties are given in Table 1. The locally available containing silica fume mixed with W, LW and LD
grade 2 sand conforming to IS: 383-197031 is used. (Table 3). The mix design for binder to sand for
For determination of appropriate water to cement mortars is 1:3. Total of 15 mortar cubes for each
ratio, standard consistency test has been conducted mixes are cast to test the compressive strength for
and water to cement ratio of 0.41 is arrived at. different days, viz., 3, 28 and 90 days (each 5 cubes)
Ordinary potable water is used for control pastes and of curing. The cement pastes for each of the above are
mortar cubes and cylinders. Two types of lime are also mixed to study the hydration kinetics of different
used in lime water filtrate preparation. First lime days of curing using XRD analysis. Concurrently, the
Table 1 — Physical and chemical properties of cement and SF mortar cylinders (50 mm × 100 mm) for each mix are
cast for the similar proportions to study the split
Chemicals Oxide Constituents (%)
tensile strengths for different days, viz., 7 and 28 days
Cement Silica fume
(each mix 6 cylinders) of curing. The polycarboxylate
SiO2 20.24 94.73
Al2O3 5.64 -
based high range water reducing admixture
Fe2O3 4.07 - (HRWRA) is used as superplasticizer (SP) by weight
CaO 63.42 - of cementitious materials to get the uniform
SO3 3.48 0.2 flowability in cube mortars / cylinder mortars. The
Na2O 0.19 0.51 water to binder (cement + SF) ratio for all mixtures is
K2O 0.56 - fixed as 0.4.
MgO + MnO 0.88 -
LOI 1.52 1.5 Table 2 — pH and conductivity measurements of lime waters
Physical properties Solution pH Conductivity,
Color Dark gray Gray Value mS/cm
Specific gravity 3.162 2.15 Potable water 7.678 1.431
Bulk density, g/cm3 1.561 0.13-0.6 Slaked, Natural lime water, LW 9.733 5.142
Fineness passing 40 µm sieve, % 85 92-95 Saturated calcium hydroxide 10.719 1.286
Moisture content, % <1-2 <1 solution, LD
494 INDIAN J. ENG. MATER. SCI., DECEMBER 2017

To prepare the mortars containing silica fume, first
the binders such as cement and silica fume are added to
river sand and placed in mixer machine resuming dry
mix for about 2 min. Then the water, which is premixed
with the superplasticizer, is added and mixing is carried
out for 5 min. Finally, the freshly prepared mortar is
poured into cube moulds of size 70.6 × 70.6 × 70.6 mm.
Similarly, the mortar cylinders of size 50 × 100 mm are
cast. After pouring, an external table vibrator is used to
facilitate compaction and decrease the amount of air
bubbles. The specimens are de-molded after a lapse of
24 h for moist curing and then cured in water till for the
testing periods 3, 28 and 90 days. Concurrently, to study
the hydration kinetics by using XRD analysis of the
above mixes in the paste form are also prepared. The
compression test is carried out on 100t UTM under load
control. The tensile strength of concrete is evaluated
using a split cylinder test, in which a cylindrical
specimen is placed on its side and loaded in diametrical
compression, so as to induce transverse tension.
and 30% and with ordinary potable water compared to
control samples. This may be due to the acceleration
of hydration process by silica fume with cement. In
the case of control with saturated lime water, the
initial setting time is slightly higher because of more
availability of the calcium hydroxide to react. This
trend has changed with addition of silica fume, that is,
the IST and FST are reduced considerably because of
consumption of calcium hydroxide by silica fume at
the early stages as well as later stages. Sellevold
et al.32 observed that SF accelerates the hydration of
cement during the early stages by providing
nucleation sites where the products of cement
hydration can more readily precipitate from solution.
Semi-quantitative XRD analysis of composite pastes
Figures 2-5 show the XRD patterns of pastes of all
compositions at 3 and 28 days of curing and the
quantification of the various phases are given in Tables
4-7. The main crystalline phases of calcite

Result and Discussion

The following sections present the properties of
cementitious composites mixed with potable water
(W), saturated lime water (LD) and natural lime water
(LW) solution. Consistency level, setting times,
hydration process and mechanical properties such as
compressive and split tensile strengths are evaluated.
Initial and final setting times
The results of the setting times studied for the
cement composite pastes with partial replacement of
silica fume and with two types of lime waters by
using Vicat apparatus are provided in Fig. 1. It has
been found that there is a reduction in both the initial
and final setting timings (IST and FST) for the
samples with replacement of silica fume by 10, 20 Fig. 1 — Initial and final setting times
Table 3 — Mix proportions of specimens for mortars
Code of mix Cement Silica Fume Sand Water Lime water Superplasticizer, (%)
(kg/m3) (kg/m3) (kg/m3) (kg/m3) (kg/m3)
Control 455 0 1364 181 - 0
CLD 455 0 1364 - 181 0
CLW 455 0 1364 - 181 0
CSF-10 410 45 1364 181 - 0
CSF-20 364 91 1364 181 - 0
CSF-30 319 136 1364 181 - 0
CLDSF-10 410 45 1364 - 181 1.0
CLDSF-20 364 91 1364 - 181 1.5
CLDSF-30 319 136 1364 - 181 2.0
CLWSF-10 410 45 1364 - 181 1.0
CLWSF-20 364 91 1364 - 181 1.5
CLWSF-30 319 136 1364 - 181 2.0
 MAHESWARAN et al.: SILICA FUME BLENDED CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITE
(C- calcium carbonate, CaCO3), Portlandite
(P-calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2), ettringite (E), gypsum
(G), quartz (Q) are identified. The hydration reaction
products of cement such as calcium silicates/aluminates
such as C-S-H, C-A-S-H (gehlenite hydrate) including
tobermorite type C-S-H are also evidenced; since the
C-S-H, which is an amorphous phase, its structure
cannot be identified exclusively by XRD33, hence it is
mentioned in the quantitative analysis tables (Tables
4-7) as ‘total amorphous contents’ by using TOPAS
academic software (Bruker AXS, Karlsruhe, Germany).
The semi-quantitative analyses of XRD of composites
show that the reduction in Portlandite peaks (CH
crystals), hence the improvement in the C-S-H quantities
in the presence of silica fume at different ages.
Fig. 2 — XRD patterns of Control, CLD and CLW samples for 3
and 28 days
Fig. 3 — XRD patterns of Control, CSF-10, CSF-20 and CSF-30
samples for 3 and 28 days
495
The XRD patterns and S-Q analysis of hydration of
cement pastes of control, CLD and CLW samples are
shown in Fig. 2 and Table 4 gives their quantification
values. It is found that the amounts of crystalline
portlandite contents are almost same in all the mixes. It
shows that the availability of portlandite crystals is
more to react with cementitious additives, if any.
Similarly, the total quantity of amorphous contents
such as C-S-H, C-A-H and C-A-S-H etc are equal in all
the cases of mixes. But in the case of samples CSF-10,
CSF-20 and CSF-30, wherein potable water is used, it
is noticed that the consumption of CH crystal
(Table 5 and Fig. 3) and accordingly observed the
incremental quantity of amorphous contents in these
cases and reduction of CH peaks in the XRD spectrum.
In these cases, there are existence of CH peaks with
Fig. 4 — XRD patterns of CLDSF-10, CLDSF-20and CLDSF-
30samples for 3 and 28 days
Fig. 5 — XRD patterns of CLWSF-10, CLWSF-20 and CLWSF-
30 samples for 3 and 28 days
496 INDIAN J. ENG. MATER. SCI., DECEMBER 2017

10% and 20% of SF, but complete consumption is only by about 50% at 28 days, because of less
found in 30% SF replacement in 3 days and 28 days of availability of SF to react with CH solution. Similar
curing. These results are supported by those of Ono result has also been observed by Hooton35 that with
et al.34, studied the cement-silica fume system in pastes 20% by volume silica fume replacement, no CH was
and the amounts of CH present after various periods of detectable after 91 days of moist curing at 23°C, while
hydration with different dosages of silica fume. At very 10% silica fume reduced CH by 50% at the same age.
high dosages, almost all CH is consumed by 28 days, In the case of saturated lime water, it is found that
but at 10% replacement of silica fume, CH is reduced the CH crystals for 3 days and 28 days of curing
samples, because of less dosage of SF, its consumption
Table 4 — S-Q analysis for hydration of paste composites CON, also less. Whereas 20% and 30% SF replacement, the
CLD and CLW series consumption of CH is almost completed and there are
Compounds 3 days 28 days no CH crystal for further reaction (Fig. 4 and Table 6).
Control CLD CLW Control CLD CLW Simultaneously, the incremental quantity of amorphous
Calcite (C) 16.69 11.51 11.19 11.91 12.19 15.12 contents is also found in the case of CLWSF series too
Ettringite (E) 1.11 2.05 1.26 0.92 1.13 0.364 (Table 7 and Fig. 5).
Gypsum (G) 3.69 3.69 3.39 3.61 4.39 4.12 Hence, it is concluded from the XRD analysis,
Portlandite (P) 12.57 11.51 12.58 19.09 17.97 15.11 there are two stages of CH crystal consumption and
Quartz (Q) 1.37 0.84 1.03 0.65 1.22 1.1
enhancement in quantity of C-S-H and the like
Other amorphous 64.57 70.42 70.55 63.82 63.1 64.19
contents including materials, which lead to enhancement of strength of
C-S-H, C-A-S-H etc mortar/concrete with similar composition. In the XRD
Table 5 — S-Q analysis for hydration of paste composites Control and CSF series
Compounds 3 days 28 days
Control CSF-10 CSF-20 CSF-30 Control CSF-10 CSF-20 CSF-30
Calcite (C) 16.69 12.06 6.83 11.79 11.91 9.67 11.89 12.55
Ettringite (E) 1.11 2.04 3.57 0 0.92 3.13 4.89 4.38
Gypsum (G) 3.69 3.35 0 0 3.61 2.39 0 0
Portlandite (P) 12.57 7.22 2.39 1.1 19.09 7.11 4.54 0
Quartz (Q) 1.37 0.61 0.44 0.55 0.65 1.47 0 0
Other amorphous contents including 64.57 75.72 86.77 86.56 63.82 76.23 78.68 83.07
C-S-H, C-A-S-H etc
Table 6 — S-Q analysis for hydration of paste composites CLDSF series
Compounds 3 days 28 days
CLDSF-10 CLDSF-20 CLDSF-30 CLDSF-10 CLDSF-20 CLDSF-30
Calcite (C) 24.95 11.43 9.58 12.27 9.76 12.33
Ettringite (E) 1.02 3.36 2.52 0.64 4.02 2.09
Gypsum (G) 3.43 3.04 0 4.15 4.18 0
Portlandite (P) 5.15 1.86 0 9.15 0 0
Quartz (Q) 1.89 0.47 0 0.52 0.24 0.29
Other amorphous contents including 63.565 77.84 87.9 73.28 81.8 85.29
C-S-H, C-A-S-H etc

Table 7 — S-Q analysis for hydration of paste composites CLWSF series

Compounds 3 days 28 days
CLWSF-10 CLWSF-20 CLWSF-30 CLWSF-10 CLWSF-20 CLWSF-30
Calcite (C) 12.65 6.99 8.54 10.44 9.79 15.37
Ettringite (E) 3.35 3.59 3.15 3.69 3.1 2.51
Gypsum (G) 3.45 1.02 0.64 4.01 2.64 1.88
Portlandite (P) 9.51 5.51 0.55 9.27 4.02 0.64
Quartz (Q) 0.64 0.25 0.2 0.17 0.95 0.2
Other amorphous contents including 68.4 79.66 88.31 71.42 79.14 82.75
C-S-H, C-A-S-H etc
 MAHESWARAN et al.: SILICA FUME BLENDED CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITE
Fig. 6 — Comparison of compressive strength of various
composite mortars for 3, 28 and 90 days
Fig. 7 — Comparison of split tensile strength of composite
mortars for 7 and 28 days
analysis of all the mixes shown that the quantity of
calcite throughout equally, which act as an inert filler
material and mere presence of numerous fine
particles-whether pozzolanic or not, it has an
accelerating effect on the cement hydration.
Compressive strength development for mortar mixes
It is observed that there is no change in the
compressive strength while using lime waters (CLD
and CLW) alone, whereas there is a considerable
strength gain for the samples CSF10, 20 and 30 with
potable water (W) than control for all the days, viz., 3,
28 and 90 days of curing. The early strength gain for
the cases of CLDSF and CLWSF series is observed
over control mortars, particularly a strength gain in
the range of 13-34% for the samples CLDSF-30 and
CLWSF-30. This trend is continuing up to 28 days of
curing. This is evident that the increase in percentage
addition of SF attributes to increase the early strength
of the cement mortar cubes when compared to 3rd day
strengths of control mortars.
497
As predicted by the Nazari and Riahi25, the reduction
in the strength of cementitious composites with lime
water curing is observed in this study due to more
availability of Ca(OH)2 presence. The increase of
compressive strength is noticed in two stages, viz., early
(3-day) and later day strength (90-day) compared to
control mortars. This is due to the early consumption of
added calcium hydroxide solution by silica fume to form
additional C-S-H. This has been confirmed by semi-
quantitative analysis of XRD of cement composite
pastes of similar mix proportions. There is a continual
improvement of compressive strength observed for 28
days cured samples. After 28 days, the hydration
reaction of cementitious composites are almost
saturated, the subsequent strength gain is observed to be
generally low. But in the second stage, that is 90 days
cured samples, the further strength increments observed
because of consumption of the by-product of cement
hydration, namely the calcium hydroxide by silica fume.
It is also noted that the saturated lime water (CLDSF
series) with 20% silica fume (strength gain of 17% over
control) and natural lime water (CLWDSF series) with
30% silica fume replacements (strength gain of 16%)
provided higher compressive strength compared to
control mortars (Fig. 6). This incremental effect could be
due to the additional formation of C-S-H in the cement
moiety during subsequent hydration.
Split strength development for mortar mixes
Development of split tensile strengths of cylinder
mortars incorporating lime water and SF are higher
than the samples without SF and lime water. The split
tensile strength enhancement for lime water influenced
binary blended cementitious composite show 21-28%
over control samples after 28 days curing. That is, for
both the types of composites, as the compressive
strength increases, the tensile strength also increases
(Fig. 7). It is observed from this study, the early
strength gain is almost similar to the control samples,
whereas 28 days split tensile strength, increment in
strength is observed. This shows a clear indication of
improved binding properties between the blended
composites such as cement-SF-lime water.
Conclusions
This work is a preliminary investigation to study the
effect of two different lime water on the properties of
silica fume blended cementitious composites. The use of
lime water with silica fume mixed Portland cement
based composites affects both setting time and
compressive and split strengths of the mortar specimens.
 498 INDIAN J. ENG. MATER. SCI., DECEMBER 2017
Based on the experimental results and S-Q analysis of
XRD analysis, the following conclusions can be drawn:
(i) Lime waters mixed with silica fume blended
cementitious composites enhances both initial and
final setting times due to the faster hydration in the
composite system than control mixes.
(ii) Portland cement based mixes with lime water
and SF consume more quantity of calcium hydroxide
compared with ordinary potable water as per the
XRD analysis.
(iii) The qualitative and quantitative S-Q analysis
of lime water influenced cementitious composite
pastes have been carried out. The results revealed that
the reduction in CH because of its consumption by
silica fume and additional formation of strength
giving amorphous phases including C-S-H.
(iv) The combined use of both lime water and
partial replacement of cement by silica fume
improves the compressive strength in two stages, viz.,
at early age and at latter age.
(v) 13-17% on 3 days, 23-25% on 28 days and 15-
17% on 90 days increase of compressive strength is
observed over control mixes of 30% replacement of cement
by SF when replacing potable water with lime waters.
(vi) 21-28 % increased split tensile strength at 28
days of curing gives the samples for CLDSF and
CLWSF series compared to control samples, which
are due to the improved binding properties between
the composite materials.
(vii) The results showed that the complete
consumption of SF by excess lime water when blended
with cement and enhancement of compressive and split
strength of the composite mortars.
Acknowledgements
The researchers of CSMG, AML and STL of
CSIR-SERC are greatly acknowledged for the useful
discussion and suggestions provided during the course
of the investigations.
References
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