OPTIMIZATION OF HIGH-STRENGTH LIMESTONE FILLER CEMENT MORTARS

The effect of limestone microfiller replacement of cement on the mecha nical performance and cost effectiveness of low w/c ratio superplastic ized portland cement mortars was investigated. The experiments were de signed based on a so-called uniform-precision factorial plan. Cement p astes of different w/b ratios and incorporating various proportions of limestone powder and/or silica fume were designed to have a constant flow time. Mortars corresponding to the different cement pastes were m ade, their 1, 3, 7, 28 and 91 day compressive strengths were measured, and their cost effectiveness was analyzed. The statistical approach u sed permitted the calculation of the isoresponse curves for the parame ters under study over the experimental domain and the optimization of their effect.