Hydrothermal characteristics of blended cement pastes containing silica sand using cement kiln dust as an activator

Abstract

The hydrothermal reactivity of silica sand was studied by using cement kiln dust (CKD) as an activator in addition to the Portland cement fraction of El-Karnak cement (a blend of ordinary Portland cement and ground sand). Autoclaved El-Karnak cement pastes were studied at the pressures of 0.507, 1.013 and 1.520 MPa of saturated steam with respect to their compressive strength, kinetics of hydrothermal reaction and the phase composition of the formed hydrates. The role of CKD in affecting the physicochemical and mechanical properties of El-Karnak cement pastes was studied by autoclaving several pastes containing 5%,7.5%,10% and 20% CKD at the pressure of 1.013 MPa of saturated steam. CKD was added either as a raw CKD (unwashed) or as one after washing with water (washed CKD). The results of these physicochemical studies could be related to the role of CKD (raw or washed) in affecting the hydrothermal reactivity of silica sand in El-Karnak cement pastes.