EFFECT OF CERAMIC POWDER (CP) ON COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND DRYING SHRINKAGE CRACKS OF CEMENT MORTAR

Abstract

This investigation is conducted to study the effect of addition of ceramic powder (CP) on drying shrinkage cracks and compressive strength of cement mortar. Steel molds having a trapezoidal section, and the end restrained at square shape used to study restrained drying shrinkage of cement mortar. Specimens of compressive strength, density, were cast. The admixture (CP) was used as addition with three levels of (2%, 4% and 8%) by weight of dry cement. All specimens were cured for (14 days). Average of six results was taken for any test of compressive strength and density. The experimental results showed that the adding of this admixture cause a delay in a formation of cracks predicted from a drying shrinkage, increase compressive strength at levels of (4%) of admixture and cause the decreasing in the density of cement mortar Specimens. The increment in compressive strength at level (4%) was (6.11%), but at level of (8%) it was decreased by (3.9%). The admixture has the visible effect in delay of the information of shrinkage cracks and decrease of its number.