Assessment of hybrid alkali-activated fly ash–limestone powder as sustainable rendering mortar

This study evaluates the potential of a hybrid alkali-activated material (HAAM) mortar, formulated using high-calcium fly ash (FA) and limestone powder (LP), as a sustainable and economically viable alternative to conventional rendering mortars. Two HAAM mortar formulations were investigated, with 0...

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Main Authors: Todsaporn Srikhamma, Chattarika Phiangphimai, Tanakorn Phoo-ngernkham, Satakhun Detphan, Sakonwan Hanjitsuwan, Kosawat Changjatturas, Nattavude Kongmuang, Prinya Chindaprasirt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525009994
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author Todsaporn Srikhamma
Chattarika Phiangphimai
Tanakorn Phoo-ngernkham
Satakhun Detphan
Sakonwan Hanjitsuwan
Kosawat Changjatturas
Nattavude Kongmuang
Prinya Chindaprasirt
author_facet Todsaporn Srikhamma
Chattarika Phiangphimai
Tanakorn Phoo-ngernkham
Satakhun Detphan
Sakonwan Hanjitsuwan
Kosawat Changjatturas
Nattavude Kongmuang
Prinya Chindaprasirt
author_sort Todsaporn Srikhamma
collection DOAJ
description This study evaluates the potential of a hybrid alkali-activated material (HAAM) mortar, formulated using high-calcium fly ash (FA) and limestone powder (LP), as a sustainable and economically viable alternative to conventional rendering mortars. Two HAAM mortar formulations were investigated, with 0 wt% and 50 wt% LP replacement of FA, using a constant sand-to-binder ratio of 2.0 and a 6-molar sodium hydroxide solution as an activator. A comprehensive experimental program assessed setting time, compressive strength, water retention, air content, and bond strength via pull-off tests, complemented by a cost analysis and life-cycle assessment. Test results indicated that FA-based HAAM mortars incorporating LP achieved acceptable performance, meeting ASTM and TIS requirements for masonry applications. The inclusion of LP reduced setting time and improved early compressive strength. Furthermore, water retention and air content in the FA-LP-based HAAM mortar were comparable to those of the commercial mortar. Bond strength was enhanced in all brick types, particularly cement bricks, due to the formation of additional reaction products at the interface. Although the FA-LP-based HAAM mortar had a higher initial cost than the control, it proved more cost-effective in the long term and exhibited a lower carbon footprint. These findings highlight the potential of FA-LP-based HAAMs as environmentally friendly rendering mortars for masonry applications, offering improved sustainability and economic efficiency.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-12-01
publisher Elsevier
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series Case Studies in Construction Materials
spelling doaj-art-1344bc3a043b46b79aae5e29bd39794a2025-08-20T05:06:54ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-12-0123e0520110.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05201Assessment of hybrid alkali-activated fly ash–limestone powder as sustainable rendering mortarTodsaporn Srikhamma0Chattarika Phiangphimai1Tanakorn Phoo-ngernkham2Satakhun Detphan3Sakonwan Hanjitsuwan4Kosawat Changjatturas5Nattavude Kongmuang6Prinya Chindaprasirt7Sustainable Construction Material Technology Research Unit, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, ThailandDepartment of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep, Bangkok 10120, ThailandSustainable Construction Material Technology Research Unit, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand; Corresponding authors.Sustainable Construction Material Technology Research Unit, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand; Corresponding authors.Department of Survey and Geomatics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, ThailandSustainable Construction Material Technology Research Unit, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, ThailandCustomer Technical Consultant Manager, Siam City Cement Company, Bangkok 10110, ThailandSustainable Infrastructure Research and Development Center, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Dusit, Bangkok 10300, ThailandThis study evaluates the potential of a hybrid alkali-activated material (HAAM) mortar, formulated using high-calcium fly ash (FA) and limestone powder (LP), as a sustainable and economically viable alternative to conventional rendering mortars. Two HAAM mortar formulations were investigated, with 0 wt% and 50 wt% LP replacement of FA, using a constant sand-to-binder ratio of 2.0 and a 6-molar sodium hydroxide solution as an activator. A comprehensive experimental program assessed setting time, compressive strength, water retention, air content, and bond strength via pull-off tests, complemented by a cost analysis and life-cycle assessment. Test results indicated that FA-based HAAM mortars incorporating LP achieved acceptable performance, meeting ASTM and TIS requirements for masonry applications. The inclusion of LP reduced setting time and improved early compressive strength. Furthermore, water retention and air content in the FA-LP-based HAAM mortar were comparable to those of the commercial mortar. Bond strength was enhanced in all brick types, particularly cement bricks, due to the formation of additional reaction products at the interface. Although the FA-LP-based HAAM mortar had a higher initial cost than the control, it proved more cost-effective in the long term and exhibited a lower carbon footprint. These findings highlight the potential of FA-LP-based HAAMs as environmentally friendly rendering mortars for masonry applications, offering improved sustainability and economic efficiency.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525009994Novel rendering mortarHybrid alkali-activated materialLimestone powderBond strengthCost and life-cycle analyses
spellingShingle Todsaporn Srikhamma
Chattarika Phiangphimai
Tanakorn Phoo-ngernkham
Satakhun Detphan
Sakonwan Hanjitsuwan
Kosawat Changjatturas
Nattavude Kongmuang
Prinya Chindaprasirt
Assessment of hybrid alkali-activated fly ash–limestone powder as sustainable rendering mortar
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Novel rendering mortar
Hybrid alkali-activated material
Limestone powder
Bond strength
Cost and life-cycle analyses
title Assessment of hybrid alkali-activated fly ash–limestone powder as sustainable rendering mortar
title_full Assessment of hybrid alkali-activated fly ash–limestone powder as sustainable rendering mortar
title_fullStr Assessment of hybrid alkali-activated fly ash–limestone powder as sustainable rendering mortar
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of hybrid alkali-activated fly ash–limestone powder as sustainable rendering mortar
title_short Assessment of hybrid alkali-activated fly ash–limestone powder as sustainable rendering mortar
title_sort assessment of hybrid alkali activated fly ash limestone powder as sustainable rendering mortar
topic Novel rendering mortar
Hybrid alkali-activated material
Limestone powder
Bond strength
Cost and life-cycle analyses
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525009994
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AT tanakornphoongernkham assessmentofhybridalkaliactivatedflyashlimestonepowderassustainablerenderingmortar
AT satakhundetphan assessmentofhybridalkaliactivatedflyashlimestonepowderassustainablerenderingmortar
AT sakonwanhanjitsuwan assessmentofhybridalkaliactivatedflyashlimestonepowderassustainablerenderingmortar
AT kosawatchangjatturas assessmentofhybridalkaliactivatedflyashlimestonepowderassustainablerenderingmortar
AT nattavudekongmuang assessmentofhybridalkaliactivatedflyashlimestonepowderassustainablerenderingmortar
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