Towards greener mortars: Blended cementitious systems using waste eggshell powder

Abstract

The use of ordinary Portland cement in the construction industry greatly adds to environmental problems, such as excessive energy use and CO₂ emissions. This study explores the viability of using waste eggshell powder (EP) as an additional cementitious ingredient in cement mortar in order to allay these worries. Packed with calcium carbonate, EP is tested as a partial cement substitute in weight percentages ranging from 5 % to 20 %. Traditional supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs), including fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GS), and silica fume (SF), are also added at the same replacement amounts for comparison. Using each material, mortar specimens are prepared, and their compressive strength, workability, and durability qualities are thoroughly evaluated. It is anticipated that the findings will encourage more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient building techniques by offering comparative insights into the effectiveness, benefits, and drawbacks of EP use in conjunction with well-established SCMs.