| Abstrakt: |
In this study, the use of an alternative material as supplementary cementitious material was researched for the design of high-performance mortars (HPMs). Synthetic wollastonite microfibres (SWMs) were produced from calcite and quartz sand. The SWMs were then replaced at ratios of 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12% by cement weight to investigate the fresh, mechanical and shrinkage properties of HPMs. Test results showed that the mechanical and shrinkage properties of HPMs improved up to 9% inclusion of SWMs. The compressive strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, fracture toughness and fracture energy of HPM incorporating 9% SWM was higher than that of the control mixture by 8.8–9.1%, 7.5–9.9%, 4.7–6.7%, 8.9–4.6% and 13.2–2.5% at 28–90 days, respectively. Similarly, the ratios for maximum drying shrinkage and average crack width were determined as 10.5% and 58.3%, respectively, at the end of 60 days. These findings were also supported by microstructural analysis. Moreover, the potential environmental impacts resulting from the production of 1 kg SWM and HPM incorporating 9% SWM were evaluated using the life cycle analysis software (LCA) SimaPro 8.5.0.0. Based on the LCA results, SWMs can be used as an alternative material to develop sustainable concrete structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
