DOI: 10.36347/sjet.2017.v05i11.008

Pages: 655-660

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the use of Calcium Carbide Wastes (CCW) as an admixture in a mortar. A mortar of ratio l:3 (cement to fine aggregate) at a constant water-cement ratio of 0.5 was prepared in the laboratory and CCW was added to the mix at a percentage of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 by weight of cement respectively. The test parameters investigated include; the consistency and setting times of Cement-CCW paste, workability of cement-CCW mortar and, compressive and flexural strength of mortar prisms. A total of 72 mortar prisms were cast and tested for compressive and flexural strength at the curing age of 3, 7, 28 and 56 days. The results of the study demonstrated that addition of CCW increased the consistency, but decreased both initial and final setting times of cement at 5% CCW content. It was also found that addition of CCW to up to 5% by cement weight increased the workability of the mortar. The compressive and flexural strength of mortar prisms tested at 3, 7, 28 and 56 days indicate a positive increase in strength with increase in CCW content up to 2% by weight of cement and decreases with any further increase in the percentage of CCW content. The average compressive and flexural strength increase achieved by the mortar prisms containing 2% CCW is found to be 8% and 10% over that of a control specimen at 56days curing age. The results have also demonstrated a general increase in both compressive and flexural strength of mortar prisms with ages.