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Materials Today: Proceedings 22 (2020) 2431–2438 www.materialstoday.com/proceedings

ICMMM 2019

Study on Mechanical Properties of Mortar using Alccofine and

Graphene Oxide
Rahul Raj Kundanatia, Tanmay Malpania, V. Sairamb*
a
B.Tech Civil Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, India
b*
Associate Professor (Grade 1), Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, India

Abstract

The inclination of the construction industry to use sustainable materials in producing a more benign concrete is gaining
popularity. In addition to this, economic viability along with performance plays a key role in the contemporary research work on
various new alternatives and substitutes. This paper deals with the partial replacement of cement with Alccofine and addition of
0.1% wt/volume water dispersed Graphene Oxide in 1:3 cement sand mortar mix. The w/c ratio was maintained at 0.30 along
with water reducing agent. The study initially focused on arriving at the optimum Alccofine replacement percentage.
Compressive and flexural strength of the systems with varying dosages of Alccofine replacement level at 10%, 15% and 20%
showed promising improvement at 15% replacement level, when compared system CM-0AL. GO was introduced in the
Alccofine optimized mix at dosage rate of 0.03%, 0.05%, 0.09%, 0.15% and 0.21%. The addition of water dispersed GO showed
an improvement in both compressive and flexural properties, peaking at 0.05% followed by slow decline in the strength
parameters. GO accelerates the rate of hydration along with acting as nano-scale fibres filling the micro-pores and voids,
attributing to the improved results. However at higher levels, the agglomeration of GO contributes to the improper filling of
voids. The workability increased considerably by the addition of Alccofine. Thus, it is inferred from the study that the partial
replacement of cement with Alccofine serves a dual fold benefit being eco-friendly material, reducing the carbon footprint whilst
improving the workability and mechanical strength. The addition of water dispersed GO augmented the results obtained with the
optimized mix. The best results were observed for the system with 15% Alccofine replacement along with 0.05% water
dispersed GO.
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 2nd International Conference on Materials Manufacturing and
Modelling, ICMMM – 2019.

Keywords: Alccofine; Water Dispersed Graphene Oxide; Mortar;

*
Corresponding author. Tel.: +91 9790632294
E-mail address: vsriram@vit.ac.in

2214-7853 © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 2nd International Conference on Materials Manufacturing and Modelling,
ICMMM – 2019.
2432 R.R. Kundanati et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 22 (2020) 2431–2438

1. Introduction

Cement manufacturing industry is highly emission and power intensive because of the heavy indispensable
energy for the processing. Emission of GHG’s like nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide are linked with the
production of cement both directly through the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate producing lime and
carbon dioxide, and indirectly via the use of energy required to power the plant, particularly from the combustion of
non-renewable fossil fuels [1].
However recent development in the construction industry, seeking out various other alternatives to cement has
launched many researches in producing a sustainable and environmentally sensitive material. Owing to the
aforementioned reasons, many substitutes to cement in the form of by-products and solid wastes have been
incorporated in concrete mixes. Researches on the use of GGBS, fly ash, rice husk, metakaolin have been critically
studied. Adequate training, public awareness, regulations and standards along with thorough research is required for
the global adoption of these materials in large-scale infrastructure projects [2].
Alccofine, a processed product of slag containing high glass content obtained through pulverisation is highly
reactive. The carefully monitored pulverisation process results in unique size proportioning of the particles. The
latent hydraulic property and pozzolonic reactivity results in enhanced hydration process. Moreover the addition of
Alccofine improves the packing density of paste component thereby lowering water demand, admixture dosage and
hence improving durability and strength parameters of concrete [3].
Though the use of fibers, both small and large scale, have become popular to enhance the toughness and tensile
strength of cement, it has failed to check the development of micro-cracks [4] .The application of nanotechnology in
this regard has, lately, emerged as yet another alternative to control this micro-cracking by providing reinforcement
on the nano-scale.
A thin 2-D structure, Graphene has carbon atoms arranged in a repeating hexagonal pattern. On the micro-scale,
the association between cement hydration compounds and graphene enhances the load transfer efficiency along with
a refinement in the pore size distribution and porosity [5].
This paper presents the effect of varying dosages of water dispersed GO with Alccofine stabilized mix on the
mechanical properties of mortar. The investigation and observations is through various experimental studies.

2. Materials

2.1 Cement

Following IS: 12269-2013, Ordinary Portland Cement of Grade 53 was used. Table 1 shows the properties of the
cement used.

Table 1. Properties of Ordinary Portland cement

S. No Aspects Test Value As per IS:12269-2013

1 Cement Consistency 33 % -
2 Specific Gravity 3.140 3.150
3 Initial Setting Time 32 minutes >30 minutes
4 Final Setting Time 240 minutes <600 minutes
5 Compressive Strength
i 3 days 27.5 N/mm2 >27 N/mm2
ii 7 days 39.0 N/mm2 >37 N/mm2
2
iii 28 days 54.0 N/mm >53 N/mm2

6 Fineness of Cement 10% 10%

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2.2 Fine aggregate

In accordance with zone I, conventional sand was used having fineness modulus of 3.06 and specific gravity of
2.65. The maximum particle size of fine aggregate was 4.75mm. The tests were performed as per IS: 383-1970. The
table 2 and fig.1 given below shows the sieve analysis results of the sand.

Table 2. Sieve analysis of Fine aggregate

Sieve Size Weight Percentage As per
Retained (g) Passing IS:383-1970
4.75mm 0 100 90-100
2.3mm 80 92 60-95
1.18mm 344 57.6 30-70
600μm 260 31.6 15-34
300μm 208 10.8 5-20
150μm 92 1.6 0-10

Fig.1 Graphical Representation of Sieve Analysis

2.3 Alccofine 1203

Alccofine is a micro fine mineral additive for concrete and mortars. A low calcium silicate mineral additive,
Alccofine was sourced from Counto Microfine Products (Goa). High performance concrete with extremely low
water to binder ratio can be produced with its addition. Table 3 summarizes its properties:

Table 3. Properties of Alccofine 1203

Description Unit Range

Particle Size Microns 6-Apr

2
Fineness cm /gm 12000
Specific Gravity - 2.860 ± 0.02
3
Bulk Density Kg/m 600 -700

2.4 Water Dispersed Graphene Oxide

The graphene oxide nano-sheet dispersed in water synthesized by Ad-Nano Technologies, Shimoga (Karnataka)
was used as nano-material without any further preparations, table 4 shows the properties of graphene oxide.
2434 R.R. Kundanati et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 22 (2020) 2431–2438

Table 4. Properties of Graphene Oxide

Property Specification

Content of Graphene Oxide 1.0 %

Graphene Oxide Purity >99%

Color Dark Greyish

Viscosity 15 Kg/m sec at 25°C

Surface Tension 35 dyne/cm

Boiling Point 100 °C

Density 0.89 mg/ml at 25 °C

2.5 Chemical Admixture

MasterGlenium® SKY 8233, A polycarboxylic ether based high performance super plasticiser was used. It is
ASTM C494 Type F and IS 2645:2003 certified. The dosage rate is 0.01% of the cementious content. Table 5 shows
the characteristics of super-plasticizer.

Table 5. Technical specification of super-plasticizer

Property Specification

Color Red-brown liquid

Specific Gravity 1.08 ± 0.02 at 25 °C

pH ≥ ± 6.0

Chloride Ion Content < 0.20%

3. Methodology

3.1 Preparation of mortar Specimen

Reference mortar specimen was prepared with Ordinary Portland Cement to act as the control given in table 6.
Another set of mortar specimen with Alccofine replacement of cement at 10%, 15% and 20% was prepared. After
reaching the optimum substitution of cement with Alccofine at 15% following the initial results, the combination
was taken as the base for further trials. To this Alccofine stabilized combination, water dispersed GO (1% wt/vol)
was added at a dosage rate of 0.03, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25% by weight. The w/c ratio was kept fixed at 0.3
and the quantity of sand for the various systems was taken as three times the weight of the binder material.
Standardized sand as per IS 650:1991 was used. An ether based polycarboxylic super plasticizer, MasterGlenium®
SKY 8233 at a dosage rate of 0.01% of cementitious material was used.
The batched materials were blended until a homogeneous dry mix was obtained. Water containing the admixture
and GO was added to produce mortar uniformly in a mechanical mixer for no less than 3 minutes as per IS: 2250-
1981. This mortar was then filled in moulds of dimension 70.6mm x 70.6mm x 70.6mm in three layers along with
compaction by a vibrating machine. The mortar cubes were put in fresh water for curing, following de-molding after
24 hours. Also, mortar beams of size 40mm x 40mm x 160mm were prepared for flexural strength test. The castings
of the various mortar combinations were done for 3, 7 and 28 days of curing.
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Table 6. Mix Proportion Table

Fine Aggregate Graphene Oxide Dispersion

Mixture Cement (g) Alccofine (g)
(g) GO (%) GO (ml)
CM-0AL 600 1800 0 0 0
CM-10AL 540 1800 60 0 0
CM-15AL 510 1800 90 0 0
CM-20AL 480 1800 120 0 0
CM-AL03 510 1800 90 0.03 0.20
CM-AL05 510 1800 90 0.05 0.34
CM-AL09 510 1800 90 0.09 0.61
CM-AL15 510 1800 90 0.15 1.01
CM-AL21 510 1800 90 0.21 1.41

3.2 Test Procedures

3.2.1 Compressive Strength Test

IS 4031-6 (1988) was followed for testing the compressive strength of mortar cubes. Cube specimens of
dimension 70.6mm x 70.6mm x 70.6mm were casted for the varied combinations of mix containing Alccofine and
GO. 24 hours post casting, the specimen were de-molded and cured in fresh water. Since the completion of 3, 7 and
28 days curing, specimen cubes were tested in Compressive Testing Machine of capacity 1000 KN, with a uniform
load rate 2.9 KN/mm2-min. The compressive strength was evaluated as follows:

fck (N/mm2) = Load (N) / Surface Area in Contact (mm2)

3.2.2 Flexural Strength Test:

ASTM C348-14 was followed for testing the flexural strength of mortar beams. Beam specimens of dimension
40mm x 40mm x 160mm size were casted with different combinations of mix containing Alccofine and GO. Post
de-molding beams were placed in fresh water for 3, 7 and 28 days. Central point loading was applied to the beam
specimens in the Universal Testing Machine for flexural test. A uniform loading rate of 45 N/sec was applied. The
following equation has been derived for the calculation of the flexural strength:

Sf (N/mm2) = 0.0028P (N)

4. Results and Discussion

4.1 Compressive Strength

The compressive strength of mortar specimens of varied Alccofine dosages and the Alccofine optimised mix with
different dosages of water dispersed GO, cured for 3, 7 and 28 days is shown in figure 2. The extended hydration
period over the increasing curing duration justifies the improvement in the compressive strength with age. It’s noted
that for the initial mixes containing only Alccofine, the maximum strength was observed for CM-15AL for all the
three curing durations. CM-10AL and CM-20AL shows an ultimate compressive strength lower than CM-15AL by
11.3% and 4.98% respectively. As a consequence of the raw material containing low calcium silicates along with
other compounds, the particle size distribution was uniformly refined, reducing the water content whilst maintaining
the workability, resulted in better compressive strength. Thus, usage of Alccofine in SCC, aiding strength gain is
recommended [6].
2436 R.R. Kundanati et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 22 (2020) 2431–2438

CM-15AL blend was found to be the optimised Alccofine replacement level. Hence it served as the base mix for
the various dosages of GO. It is interesting to note that, initially, at three days, the compressive strength for CM-
AL09 was slightly higher than CM-AL05. However, the latter clearly showed a higher value of compressive
strength, at both 7 and 28 days. On observing the trend, it is evident that the compressive strength value, generally,
initially increases peaking at 0.05% followed by a gradual dip with the increasing dosage of GO. The addition of
GO accelerates the rate of hydration along with acting as nano-scale fibres filling the micro-pores and voids. The
graphene nano-sheets reinforcement mechanisms is tied with its nucleation characteristics in mortar blends along
with its capacity to interlock with different hydration products [7].

Fig.2 Graphical Representation of Compressive strength

4.2 Flexural Strength

The flexural strength of the systems observed for 3, 7 and 28 days of curing is represented in graphically in figure
3. Partial replacement of cement with Alccofine, at all replacement levels clearly shows an improvement in the
flexural strength, the best being CM-15AL for all at 3, 7 and 28 days with percentage increment of 31.9%, 27.9%
and 17.5% respectively, when compared to the reference system. This increase is evident due to the dense pore
structure and inherent calcium oxide of Alccofine [8].
 R.R. Kundanati et al. / Materials Today: Proceedings 22 (2020) 2431–2438 2437

Fig.3 Graphical Representation of Flexural strength

Further, with the addition of GO to the CM-15AL at the various dosage levels, shows an increase in the flexural
properties owing to the firm synergy between the cracks and the GO, on the nano-scale. The best gain was observed
for 0.05%wt GO with observed flexural strength to be 4.93 MPa, 6.52 MPa and 8.16 MPa for 3,7 and 28 days
respectively, showing a relative percentage increase of 42.2%, 36.0% and 31.2% when compared with the system
CM-0AL. The agglomeration at higher GO content negatively affects the flexural strength [9].

5. Conclusion

Partial replacement of cement with Alccofine and addition of 1% wt/vol water dispersed GO in 1:3 cement sand
mortar in the study led to the following conclusions:

• The replacement of cement with Alccofine showed improvement in flexural and compressive strength
along with increased workability and fluidity. The optimum replacement level for the study was found to be
15%.
• Incorporating GOD enhanced both compressive and flexural characteristics of the mortar mix, the former
showing a greater percentage improvement.
• The optimum dosage rate of water dispersed GO at 15% replacement of cement with Alccofine at 0.3 w/c
ratio was observed to be 0.05% by weight.

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