Effect of dolostone fillers on the durable properties of mortars

Abstract

Abstract This paper investigates the durable performance of well-curing mortars with varying replacement levels of dolostone filler (0–30% by mass) in comparison with the same replacement of limestone filler and the stability of mortars with dolostone filler for 2 years at 40 oC. Compressive strength, total porosity, capillary water absorption, and chloride migration coefficients were determined. Results show that compressive strength decreases, and the total porosity increases with increasing filler content due to a dilution effect, regardless of the filler composition. The capillary water absorption and the chloride migration coefficients rise significantly for mortars with 20–30% filler. But, the dolostone filler cements have lower chloride coefficients than those with limestone blended cements. Mortars with dolostone show no length changes without later reduction of compressive strength, and XRD and FT-IR analyses suggest the formation of hydrotalcite-like phases.