Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846

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Construction and Building Materials

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/conbuildmat

Effect of processed sugar cane bagasse ash on mechanical and fracture

properties of blended mortar
P. Jagadesh a,⇑, A. Ramachandra Murthy b, R. Murugesan c
a
Department of Civil Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore 641014, Tamil Nadu, India
b
Fatigue Fracture Laboratory, CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
c
Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Road Transport and Technology, Erode, Tamil Nadu, India

h i g h l i g h t s g r a p h i c a l a b s t r a c t

Behaviour of blended mortars are

studied by evaluating mechanical
properties.

Size independent fracture energy
found by boundary effect method and
P-d method remains nearly same.

10% partial replacement of OPC by
PSCBA in mortar shows enhanced
mechanical properties.

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history:
Received 18 May 2020
Received in revised form 9 August 2020
Accepted 6 September 2020
Available online 20 September 2020
Keywords:
Processed sugar cane bagasse ash
Mechanical and fracture properties
Field Emission Scanning Electron
Microscope and X Ray Diffraction
Tail correction and boundary effect method
This paper explored the usage of Processed Sugar Cane Bagasse Ash (PSCBA) as various proportions in
cement mortar. Partial replacement of Ordinary Portland Cement by PSCBA leads to reduction in green-
house gas emission, prevention of natural resource utilization and less energy consumption apart from
enhanced cement properties. Mechanical and fracture properties of control cement mortar (1:3, 1:4
and 1:5) and PSCBA incorporated cement mortar (1:3, 1:4 and 1:5) with varying amounts of PSCBA have
been evaluated. From experimental results, it is observed that mechanical and fracture properties of
cement mortar with 10% replacement of OPC by PSCBA shows enhanced properties and they are com-
pared with other mixes. Increase in calcium silicate hydrate, decrease in ettringite and calcium hydroxide
have been observed by FESEM and confirmed with XRD studies. Further, it was observed that the RILEM
work of fracture with tail correction and boundary effect method resulted in nearly same size-
independent fracture energy irrespective of the notch to depth ratio of same specimen.
Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abbreviations: OPC, Ordinary Portland Cement; CO2, Carbon di Oxide; SCBA, Sugar Cane Bagasse Ash; PSCBA, Processed Sugar Cane Bagasse Ash; CSH, Calcium Silicate
Hydrate; SCM, Supplementary Cementitious Materials; FESEM, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope; XRD, X Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy; ‘A’ series, blended cement
to sand ratio as 1:3; ‘B’ series, blended cement to sand ratio as 1:4; ‘C’ series, blended cement to sand ratio as 1:5; CTM, Compression Testing Machine; UTM, Universal Testing
Machine; W/B, Water Binder Ratio; fcmk, Cube Compressive Strength (MPa); fsmk, Split Tensile Strength (MPa); Gf, specific fracture energy or size dependent fracture energy
(N/m); GF, true or size independent specific fracture energy (N/m); W, total depth of the beam (mm); P, Ultimate Load (N); D, Overall depth of beam (mm); a, initial notch
depth (mm); a*l, transition ligament length; CH, Calcium Hydroxide; AB, Alite & Belite; E, Ettringite.
⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail address: jaga.86@gmail.com (P. Jagadesh).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120846
0950-0618/Ó 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
P. Jagadesh et al.
1. Introduction
One of the largest industrial sectors in the world is construction
industry. Total energy consumed by construction industry is 30% of
total energy used [1]. Cement is the third most energy intensive
material after steel and aluminum products [2], consuming 7% of
total global industrial usage (10.7 EJ) [3]. Globally, average electri-
cal consumption was 105 kWh/tonne of cement production and
thermal consumption was 855 kcal/kg of clinker production [4].
Lime stones (1.65 tonnes), clay (0.40 tonnes) and gypsum (0.05
tonnes) are required as main constituents for production of one
tonne of cement [5]. Every tonne of Ordinary Portland Cement
(OPC) production leads to generation of one tonne of Carbon di
oxide (CO2) [6] approximately, which is about 7% of global emis-
sion [3]. The sustainability of cement as a construction material
has increased many attentions due to the high price of building
ingredients used [7]. Portland cement demand is expected to
increase almost 200% by 2050 [8]. So, in order to reduce the cost,
save resources, reduces energy consumption and to drop the
amount of CO2 generated during the OPC production; several
researchers efforts have been made to exploit the industrial [9]
and agricultural byproducts [10] or waste materials [11] for the
manufacture of blended cement. One such material identified is
Sugar Cane Bagasse Ash (SCBA) which is generated as waste from
sugar industries.
Globally, on an average for last five years, SCBA generated is 99
Million tonnes per annum in which India contributes 21 Million
tonnes per annum [12–15]. One of the safe disposals of such huge
waste found by researchers from last decade is using SCBA in con-
struction applications [16,17]. In recent study [18], it is found that
the high volume of SCBA usage result in CO2 equal emission reduc-
tion, cost reduction and decrease in resource utilization. SCBA
obtained from industries is coarser with less surface area and crys-
talline structure, which are less reactive in nature but having
enough binding ingredients (Mainly SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and CaO)
is observed in literatures [11,16,19,20]. Hence it is necessary to
enhance the properties of SCBA by several processing techniques
(like grinding, burning, chemical activation, etc.,) is observed in lit-
eratures [10,18–22] to obtain Processed SCBA (PSCBA). Specific
surface, amorphousness and particle size of pozzolan have been
related to reactivity of it [23,24]. It is extensively recognized that
an intensification of specific area and/or reduction in particle size
will expose a superior surface to chemical reaction enhancing reac-
tivity, and that amorphous structures are more reactive than crys-
talline ones on account of the more mobility and superficial
location of their atoms. Enormous amount of nucleation cites are
created by fine particles of SCBA for the precipitation of the hydra-
tion products by dispersing in cement matrix [11].
Subsequently, this mechanism generates the more homogenous
and denser paste [Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH)] with distribu-
tion of the finer pores in it as a result of the pozzolanic reactions
(amorphous silica of PSCBA reacting with the Calcium Hydroxide
(CH) from hydration of cement) [18,19,25]. The finer particles of
pozzolans speed up the pozzolanic reactions and result in forma-
tion of smaller CH crystals, thus reducing the pore size and
increase the density of the paste [11,16,19]. Due to high volume
of SCBA, unreacted SCBA particles which are finer may fill up the
cavities in cement matrix and further improve the paste density
[26–28]. This results in enhanced mechanical and durability prop-
erties of PSCBA blended cement / mortar / concrete mixtures
[29,30]. In recent studies, it is reported that the SCBA is used as
high-level replacement (>30%) for cement shows better properties
[31].
The amount of fracture energy essential to break unit area of
plain mortar is generally observed as a material property that reg-
ulates the fracture behavior of material. Brittle nature of mortars
2
Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846
makes the structure susceptible to loading which result in easiness
of crack formation [32]. Cracks are susceptible to happen along the
different weak zones having more pores in mortar, which on fur-
ther loading connects together. Cracks enables the infiltration of
water and destructive chemicals into the structure, which leads
to structure deteriorations [32]. Hence, denser the weakest zone
result in less pores leads to improvement in strength of the mortar,
which contributes to the higher fracture energy consumption dur-
ing crack propagation [9]. Material property should be constant
and it should be independent of measurement methods, methods
of test, specimen sizes and shapes. Earlier researchers concluded
that the fracture energy varies with size of the test specimens
[33,34] in conventional mortar and concrete. Hence, it is necessary
to find the constant fracture material property for a new SCM
blended mortar in order to understand total material behavior.
The method adopted for measuring fracture energy [size depen-
dent (Gf) and size independent (GF)] is the work-of-fracture
method recommended by RILEM 50 FMC [35]. Elices & co-
workers [36–38], and Hu & Wittmann [39], proposed two methods
(P-d correction and Boundary effect method) to correct the mea-
sured size dependent fracture energy in order to measure size
independent fracture energy. Size dependent fracture energy mea-
sured by RILEM [35] work-of-fracture method is very nearly same
as size independent fracture energy [33,39].
The size independent specific fracture energy by using the
boundary effect method and the RILEM [35] work-of-fracture
method with P-d tail correction for concrete mixes are available
in literatures [40,41] but it is limited to blended mortar. PSCBA
with greater phase diversification and morphological changes are
characterized by higher sensitivity to the development of local
stress concentrations, which may suggest the presence of damages
and microcracks in these locations. Compatibility of PSCBA in
blended mortar with various sand quantity is recognized to be sig-
nificant for prevention of cracking. However, regarding the pro-
gression of fracture energy, which is a significant parameter to
characterize the ductility and fracture behaviour, it is still
unknown. Very few experimental works have been reported
regarding the fracture energy of SCM (agricultural) blended mortar
[32,42]. Water content has effect on the fracture properties of SCM
blended mortars [43] because water is sources for ions migration
in the cement matrix and leads to microcracks [44]. For these rea-
sons, it is necessary to determine the effects of PSCBA and sand
content on the fracture energy of PSCBA blended mortar. Blended
mortar with a new type of SCM requires a detailed study on
mechanical properties and its advanced studies in order to explore
the crack development process.
The main objective of present study is to investigate the effect
of PSCBA in different proportions on mechanical and fracture prop-
erties. The variations in mechanical properties have been con-
firmed through micro-analytical studies.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Materials
Cement (JP OPC 53 grade cement [45]) used in this investiga-
tion. For present investigation, raw SCBA was collected from Ban-
nari Amman Sugars Limited, Sathyamangalam, Erode District,
Tamil Nadu (State), India. Depending on moisture content of
bagasse, the dried bagasse is burnt in boilers at temperatures
(600 °C to 700 °C), for generation of electricity in parent industries.
The processing adopted in this investigation is initially, grounding
in ball mill for 45 min with grounding media as ceramic balls of
three different diameters as 8 mm:18 mm:25 mm in the ratio of
1.4:1.2:1 is used. Volume of materials (grinding media and ash)
P. Jagadesh et al. Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846

to the volume of grounding mill is fixed as 1:5 and the laboratory
ball mill rotating at a speed of 300 rpm. Then the grounded ash is
burned in muffle furnace at 400 °C for four hours. The raw SCBA
was grounded and reburned to decrease its particle sizes till 85%
of the SCBA particles are passing through sieve size 40 lm to
obtain Processed SCBA (PSCBA). Similar process is observed in lit-
erature with grounding and burning time as high [21]. Physical
and chemical properties of OPC and PSCBA are tabulated in Table 1.
Fine aggregate used for mortar is of size between 150 mm and 850
mm having specific gravity of 2.723 [46] with water absorption of
2.042% [46] and fineness modulus as 4.508 [47] is used in this
investigation.
2.2. Mix proportions
Three groups of mixes are named as ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ with blended
cements: sand ratio as 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5 is tabulated in Table 2. In
order to study the effect of PSCBA on the mortars, two possible
researches are done in the mortar. First, the replacement of OPC
by PSCBA from 5% to 30%. Second, by varying the proportion of
PSCBA blended cement to the fine aggregate ratios.
2.3. Methods
2.3.1. Flow test
Flow test apparatus consists of flow table of 250 mm diameter
(markings on centre and in 120 mm diameter) with a mould.
Mould has top diameter of 70 mm and bottom diameter of
100 mm is kept on flow table [48]. PSCBA blended cement, fine
aggregate and water content are mixed without any air entrap-
ment and combined mix should be placed immediately placed on
mould kept above the flow table in three layers with adequate
compaction. Water content is added until to achieve standard
flowability of 110 ± 5 mm [49]. W/B ratio is determined by average
of ten specimens for every replacement. Similarly, the W/B ratio
are found for various replacement of PSCBA for OPC and for various
fine aggregate content.
2.3.2. Strength test
Water content attained from flow test [48,49] was used to cast
cube specimen of size 70.7  70.7  70.7 mm. Casted cubes were
tested in Servo Controlled Compression Testing Machine (CTM) at
7, 14, 28, 56 and 112 days to determine cube compressive
strength (fcmk) in accordance with IS 4031 (Part-6): 2005 [50].
In order to determine the fcmk for each mix, average of ten fcmk
tested at respective curing periods are considered. The density
of PSCBA blended mortar cubes was determined as average of
ten specimens for fresh, 7, 14, 28, 56 and 112 days. Water content
obtained from flow test [48,49] was used to cast cylinder speci-
mens (75 mm diameter and 150 mm height). Casted cylinders
were tested in Universal Testing Machine (UTM) at 7, 14, 28, 56
and 112 days to determine split tensile strength (fsmk) in accor-
dance with IS 5816:2004 [51]. In order to determine the fsmk
for each mix, average of ten fsmk tested at respective periods
are considered.

2.3.3. Fracture energy

Table 1
Physical and chemical properties of OPC and PSCBA. 2.3.3.1. Size independent fracture energy by RILEM Work-of-fracture
with P-d tail correction. The measurement of fracture energy by
Properties OPC PSCBA
RILEM work-of-fracture method is influenced by energy dissipa-
SiO2 21.15 66.50 tion through several sources was observed experimentally [36–
Al2O3 5.10 4.82
38]. All the errors were associated with the test. The errors are clas-
Fe2O3 2.62 4.67
CaO 65.52 3.83
sified in to three categories, namely, (i) equipment testing and test
Na2O – 0.59 set up (ii) the energy dissipation in the specimen and (iii) un
K2O 0.35 4.07 accounted energy corresponding to the tail of load - deflection plot
MgO 3.04 2.87 at the end of each experiment. The error due to equipment testing
Specific gravity 3.158 2.218
and test set up can be taken care by proper calibration of the equip-
Density (kg/m3) 3144 2454
Mean particle size (lm) 28 30 ment and supports design including loading system. Then second
source of error can occur due to crushing of supports and under
the loading point by developing high tensile stresses in the speci-
men bulk. This source of error can be corrected by adjusting the
Table 2 initial stiffness of the load – deflection curve, and it was estimated
PSCBA mortar mix proportions. that the % of error is reported as less than 2% [36]. The last source of
Mix ID’s OPC (g) PSCBA (g) Fine Aggregate (g) error is due to stopping of the experiment in view of many practi-
cal difficulties of unloading the cracked specimen in stable condi-
A1 200 0 600
A2 190 10 600 tion. This source of error causes the most significant on the size
A3 180 20 600 dependency of the measured fracture energy. To determine the
A4 170 30 600 non-measured energy after the test is stopped (Fig. 3) at a very
A5 160 40 600 small load, it is essential to model the beam behaviour when the
A6 150 50 600
crack reaches the free surface [36].
A7 140 60 600
B1 160 0 640 After calculating the non-measured work-of-fracture, the size-
B2 152 8 640 independent specific fracture energy of concrete or mortar can be
B3 144 16 640 estimated as [36]:
B4 146 24 640
R du
B5 138 32 640 Pdd þ W nm
B6 130 40 640 GF ¼ 0
ð1Þ
B7 122 48 640 bðD  aÞ
C1 130 0 670
C2 123.5 6.5 670
C3 117 13 670 2.3.3.2. Size independent fracture by boundary effect method. It is
C4 110.5 19.5 670 well known that fracture process zone (FPZ) plays an important
C5 104 26 670
role for the case of analysis of cracked structural components. It
C6 97.5 32.5 670
C7 91 39 670 was noted that the effect of stress-free back boundary of the com-
ponents is realized in the FPZ ahead of a real growing crack [52]. It
3
P. Jagadesh et al.
Fig. 1. Local fracture energy gf variation and GF over the ligament length [33].
was also noted that the local fracture energy varies with the width
of the FPZ and as the crack reaches the back surface i.e., free end of
the component, the FPZ becomes more confined. In this process,
the local fracture energy decreases [52]. In the beginning, the rate
of decrease of local fracture energy is minimum when the crack
grows from pre-defined notch. It increases as the crack reaches
the end of the un-cracked ligament. This variation in local fracture
energy is generally approximated as a bilinear function as shown
in Fig. 1. From Fig. 1, it can be noted that the transition ligament
length is the intersection point of horizontal line and the sharp
inclined line.
The transition ligament length depends on material properties,
specimen size and shape. Hu and Wittmann [52] proposed the
boundary effect model where in the measured RILEM fracture
energy, Gf, considered as the average of the local fracture energy
function represented by dotted line in Fig. 1 over the initial un-
cracked ligament area. The relationship between all the associated
variables is described by
R Wa 8 h al =W
i 9
g f ðxÞdx < GF 1  2ð1a=W Þ ; 1  a=W > al =W =

Gf ða; W Þ ¼ 0
¼
W a : GF 2ð1a=W Þ
; 1  a=W 6 al =W ;
2a =W l
ð2Þ
where, Gf is the specific fracture energy or size dependent fracture
energy (RILEM), GF is the true or size independent specific fracture
energy, W is the total depth of the beam, a is the initial notch depth
and a*l is the transition ligament length.
To obtain the values of GF and a*l of a concrete mix, the follow-
ing procedure is to be adopted.

the size-dependent specific fracture energy Gf of all specimens
of different sizes and a various notch to depth ratios is to be
determined first by using RILEM work-of-fracture method.

Eq. (2) is applied to each specimen depth and notch to depth
ratio. This gives an over-determined system of equations.
4
Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846

the equations are to be solved by a least squares method to
obtain the best estimates of GF and a*l.
Hu and Duan [53] proved that although the measured fracture
energy, Gf depend on W and a/W, the above procedure leads to a
size independent specific fracture energy GF value which is inde-
pendent of the size of the specimen and relative notch depth.
2.3.3.3. Fracture energy test. Prismatic notched specimens of size
250  50  50 mm were subjected to three-point bending in accor-
dance with the RILEM procedure [35] to determine fracture energy.
Preparation of specimens was strictly controlled to minimize the
deviation in the test results. Specimens were placed under simply
supported conditions with depth to span ratio as 4 and notch is
located at centre of tension face as shown in Fig. 2. All the tests
were performed in closed loop servo-hydraulic testing machine
with built-in digital data acquisition system used to record crack
mouth opening displacement (CMOD) using clip gauge shown in
Fig. 2. Two groups of specimens were tested for mix proportions
in Table 2, namely, ‘S’ group, where notch depth is equal to 0.1
beam depth (as shown in Fig. 3(a)) and ‘L’ group, the notch depth
is equal to 0.5 beam depth (as shown in Fig. 3(b)).
The specimens were demolded after one day and water cured at
ambient temperature in water tank for 28 days. Fracture energy for
every mix is determined as average of ten specimen fracture
energy tested. Several researchers [54,55] argued that the size
effect decreases with increasing size in the mortar specimens. In
order to reduce number of test specimens for calculating same size
independent fracture energy, two types of notch depth are used in
three-point bending test [40]. Rate of loading for all the specimens
are performed in displacement control with rate of opening as
0.0007 mm/s [56].
2.3.4. Microscopic studies
In order to study the formation of required hydrated com-
pounds, microscopic studies on tested samples at 28 days were
carried out. The sample size of 2 cm containing ample amount of
PSCBA particles was taken carefully without any fracture in it.
The size of sample was kept as small as possible. The cracked spec-
imen without polish surface was used to understand morphology
of phases or reaction products. Specimens are immersed in Iso-
propanol solvent, until constant weight is reached and after that
specimens are kept in oven at 110 °C for 24 h to stop the hydration
reaction [57]. Then the samples were stored in sealed containers
with silica gel to prevent rehydration reaction. Then the samples
Fig. 2. Experimental set up.
P. Jagadesh et al.
Fig. 3. Testing of different specimens.
were coated with gold using a sputter coater for 30 s and were
placed on the carbon tape held in the sample loading assembly.
The micrographs were obtained from the FESEM, ZEISS EVO18 to
know the surface structure, morphology and size of the precipi-
tates in tested sample.
The tested samples were powdered and grounded in ball mill.
The particles passing through 90 mm sieves were taken for further
studies. Powder specimens are kept in oven at 110 °C for 24 h to
stop the hydration reaction by eliminating water molecules in it
[57]. Then the samples were stored in sealed containers with silica
gel to prevent rehydration reaction. XRD involves the identification
of mortar mineralogical crystal composition in powdered mortar
samples which was carried out with a Bruker D2-Phaser XRD-
diffractometer, Germany that uses monochromatic Cu-Ka1 radia-
tion at 30 kV and 10 mA over the specimens. The samples were
scanned in the range of 10–80° (2h) (Braggs angle) at the rate of
1.5°/min.
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Flow studies
Increase in W/B ratio from 0.670 for 1:3 ratio to 0.700 for 1:4
ratio and it is further increased to 0.731 for 1:5 ratio is observed
from Fig. 4. Increase in sand content result in increase in water
requirements. Round shape of river sand, guarantees improvement
in packing characteristics while combining with PSCBA, result in
enhanced micro structure properties [23] and pore filling effect
[20,24,26]. Increase in sand content result, increase in water
requirement [58] due to water absorption capacity of sand parti-
cles [59]. Sand particles trap enough quantity of water to make it
as workable and also due to fineness [59].
0.9
0.85
W/B ratio
0.8
0.75
0.7
0.65
0.6
0.55
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
% of Replacement
Fig. 4. Effect of flow W/B ratio on PSCBA and fine aggregate content.
Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846
W/B ratio is increased from 0.670 to 0.738 for 1:3 ratio, for 1:4
ratio W/B ratio increased from 0.700 to 0.807 and for 1:5 ratio W/B
ratio increased from 0.731 to 0.870. Water requirement increases
with increase in replacement percentage of OPC and increase in
sand content is observed from Fig. 4. Water requirement increases
with increase in partial replacement percentage of OPC is due to
existence of unburnt carbon particles in larger quantity
[20,23,60]. Water content required for SCBA blended mortar is
higher compared to control mortar is already observed by several
researchers [21,61]. Variety of shapes and sizes of PSCBA particles
[23] in PSCBA blended mortar can decrease the mortar flow due to
resistance between these particles and with other particles. Due to
hydrophilic nature of PSCBA particles, water first reacts with
PSCBA particles before it reacts with OPC particles [61]. Irregular
form with spongy surface is observed in micro structure of PSCBA
particles [19,23] which will trap lot of water inside it, result in
increase in requirement of water. To achieve same workability
for all mixes, increase in water content with increase in PSCBA con-
tent [61] is required due to fine particle size of PSCBA particles
[25,27].
3.2. Density
The density of mortar is decreases with increase in sand is
observed from Fig. 5(a)–(c). Initially, density decrease with
increase in partial replacement of OPC by PSCBA up-to 5%, on fur-
ther replacement levels up-to 15%, the density increases than con-
trol mortar for ‘A’ series blended mortar. Series ‘B’ and ‘C’ initially,
behaves like series ‘A’ blended mortar. On further replacement
level of OPC by PSCBA up-to 10%, mortar series ‘B’ and ‘C’, the den-
sity increases. The increase in density is due to two reasons. Firstly,
the development of secondary CSH as result of pozzolanic reaction
[10,20], which is confirmed by XRD (Fig. 10). Secondly, the finer
particles of PSCBA fills the pore volume a part or entirely
[20,24,26] which is observed from FESEM (Fig. 9) and increase
the density.
And on further increase in replacement level of series ‘A’, ‘B’ and
‘C’, the density decreases. Due to micro structure property (Irregu-
lar form, spongy layer, pores in surface, etc.,) of PSCBA particles,
A density decreases [23,24], and also due to low density of secondary
CSH gel formed as a result of pozzolanic reaction (Fig. 9) [62]. For
B
series ‘A’ mix proportion, density increased in the range of 2215 to
C 2319 kg/m3 for 7 days curing period and it is in the range of 2420
to 2316 kg/m3 for curing period of 112 days. A3 mix exhibits higher
density among all three series of mortar. For series ‘B’ mix propor-
tion, the density reduced compared to series ‘A’. For series ‘B’, den-
sity of control mix is 2274 kg/m3 and it increased to B3 mix as
2284 kg/m3.
5
P. Jagadesh et al. Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846

in density [64]. Density increases with increase in curing period

for all series of PSCBA blended mortar was noted, which specifies
that PSCBA blended cement releases hydration products [61] even
at later periods of curing. The decrease in density of series ‘B’ and
‘C’ mortar mixes than ‘A’ mortar mix is due to lower density of
essential materials itself. Increase in sand quantity result in
increase in W/B ratio [58,59], which result in decrease in density
[65]. More amount of water is trapped with increase in sand con-
tent is already observed by Quiroga et al. [58]. Once required
amount of workable was attained with mix, this water settles
down or moves out of mix [64] producing pores. This is the reason
behind; density decreases with increase in sand content as
observed in Fig. 5(a)–(c).
(a) 1:3 mix proportion
3.3. Cube compressive strength

PSCBA has influence on cube compressive strength (fcmk)

[19,28] and fcmk increases with increase in curing age [27] is
observed from Fig. 6. From Fig. 6(a)–(c), it can be observed that

(b) 1:4 mix proportion

(c) 1:5 mix proportion

Fig. 5. Density of PSCBA blended mortar.

Density drops down to 2176 kg/m3 for B7 mix for 7 days curing
period. Increase in the density for B3 and B6 mix are 2378 and
2268 kg/m3 for curing period of 112 days. For series ‘C’ mortar,
the density decreased than series ‘A’ and ‘B’ mortar. For 1:5 propor-
tion, control mix density is 2245 kg/m3, density increase up-to C3
mix as 2251 kg/m3 and decrease to 2114 kg/m3 for C7 mix for
7 days curing period. For curing period of 112 days, the density
of C3 and C7 mixes increased to 2339 and 2199 kg/m3 respectively.
Increase in density (already increased) with increase in curing per-
iod, is due to PSCBA fine particles [27] existing in the pores react
with water to form secondary CSH [10,20] gradually and seals
the pore, thus increased the density of mortar [63].
With increase in curing period, the decrease in density (already
decreased) is due to the increase in PSCBA quantity will increase
the water need of mix, the surplus water present in the pores
[23] and later on it evaporates producing pores, leads to decrease Fig. 6. cube compressive strength of PSCBA blended mortar.

6
P. Jagadesh et al. Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846

A4 mix exhibits higher strength than the A1 mix but A3 mix exhib-
ited optimum strength [10,20,28,61]. There are two reasons for the
increase of fcmk, similar to that of mortar density. First, it is due to
increase in density due to formation of secondary CSH [28] and cal-
cium aluminum silicate hydrate (CASH) as confirmed by FESEM
(Fig. 9) and finer PSCBA particles fills the finer pores [26] formed
during pozzolanic reaction results in increase in density further
[10,20]. Second, it can be reduction in CH [10,19,66] lead to lesser
porous nature as confirmed by XRD and FESEM image (Figs. 10 and
9). SAI of PSCBA blended mortar for ‘A’ mix is found to high i.e., in
the range of 73.5 to 108.1 for 7 days curing period and it is
increased to the range of 76.4 to 113.0 for 112 days of curing per-
iod. Series ‘B’ and ‘C’ mixes have SAI in the range of 70 to 107.5 and
67.9 to 106.6 for 7 days curing period and it is increased to the
range of 74 to 111.7 and 72.7 to 110.9 for 112 days curing period
respectively. From Fig. 6(a)–(c) it can be noted that the optimum
replacement of OPC by PSCBA is 10% (A3, B3 and C3 mix) and the
results are comparable with the literature [24,67]. In the presence
of CH, the solubility of SiO2 increases [68]. As the cement hydration
progresses, larger quantities of SiO2 are released from PSCBA into
matrix [61] which in turn reacts with CH [10,19] to form secondary
CSH result in denser nature of mortar [10,20] as confirmed by
FESEM image (Fig. 9).
There is gradual increase in denser nature of PSCBA blended
mortar is observed in FESEM image from Fig. 9(a) to (c) due to
increase in SiO2, which is confirmed by XRD (Fig. 10), where the
density difference is noted in difference in peak. Once, the maxi-
mum amount of CH is utilized in pozzolanic reaction [10,16,19],
after that reaction will not take place, results in strength decrease
[67]. This is one of the reasons for decrease in fcmk, for the cases
more than 15% of OPC by PSCBA. Another reason is decrease in for-
mation of CH itself due to less amount of OPC available. The
increase in sand content result in decrease in strength due to
non-availability of enough quantity of lime to react. Increase in
sand quantity, decrease the presence of binder composition is also
a reason for decrease in strength [58].

3.4. Split tensile strength

Trend in fsmk similar to fcmk is observed from Fig. 7(a)–(c) for all
three series. Initially, with irrespective nature of sand quantity, fsmk
increases with partial replacement of OPC by PSCBA up-to 15%
than control mortar and after that fsmk decreases. Based on fsmk,
optimum mix in ‘A’ series is A3 mix, having strength as 1.45,
1.756, 2.073, 2.492 and 3.245 MPa for 7, 14, 28, 56 and 112 days
curing period respectively. Similarly, the optimum mix in ‘B’ series
is B3 mix, and fsmk is 1.218, 1.504, 1.778, 2.129 and 2.758 MPa for
7, 14, 28, 56 and 112 days curing period respectively. And, the opti-
mum mix in ‘C’ series is C3 mix and fsmk is 0.929, 1.158,1.388, 1.643
and 2.070 MPa for 7, 14, 28, 56 and 112 days curing period respec-
tively. With irrespective of sand replacement, the optimum
replacement for OPC by PSCBA is 10% i.e., A3, B3 and C3 mixes
are optimum based on fsmk.
Increase in fsmk is attributed by following reasons. (1) The
increase in fineness of binder will result in increased strength
[25,27] either due to enhanced filling of pores [24,26] or increased
CSH [63]. The bond of CSH (Fig. 10(c)) contributes to the increase in
density when more amount of CSH is formed. (2) In the literature,
it is also mentioned that the micro fibres presented in PSCBA par-
ticles are responsible for increase in the strength [23]. Increase in
curing period, result in increase in fsmk, regardless of sand quantity
due to more formation of secondary CSH result in more interlock-
ing network with less amount of CH [69]. The fsmk for A4, B4 and C4
mixes is higher than control mortar but it is less than A3, B3 and C3
mixes. This is due to decrease in CSH formation and filler effect
[26]. The filler effect only fills the pores in cement matrix [24,26]
7
Fig. 7. Split tensile strength for PSCBA blended mortar.
and improves the structural stability of ITZ, results in increased
in strength [70] than control mortar.
Decrease in split tensile strength can be justified by following
statements: (1) Due to non-availability of enough amount CH for
formation of secondary CSH gel as a result of pozzolanic reaction
[10,20]. However, secondary CSH gel formed makes the mortar
denser than control mortar. (2) Replacement of more amount
cement content result in lesser formation of hydration products
[61] i.e., lesser amount of CH formation [24,28]. (3) More amount
of PSCBA in binding system result in more availability of unreacted
PSCBA particles leads formation of more weak zones [28]. (4).
Increasing the content of PSCBA result in increasing in water con-
tent [23], which leads to formation of more number of pores. Par-
tial replacement above 15% of OPC by PSCBA, result in strength
decrease due to fact that the PSCBA amount present in the mix is
higher than the amount required to combine with the liberated
CH during hydration process leading to excess silica leaching out
[71] and causing decrease in strength.
P. Jagadesh et al. Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846

1600
1600
1400
1400 SB1
SA1
1200 1200
SA2 SB2
1000

Load (N)

Load (N)
1000
SA3 SB3
800 800
SA4 SB4
600 600
SA5
400 400 SB5
SA6
200 200 SB6
SA7
0 0
0 0.15 0.3 0.45 0.6 0.75 0.9 1.05 0 0.15 0.3 0.45 0.6 0.75 0.9 1.05 SB7
Displacement (mm) Displacement (mm)

(a) Load displacement curve for notch depth = (b) Load displacement curve for notch depth =
0.1 beam depth for ‘A’ series mortar 0.1 beam depth for ‘B’ series mortar

1600 1000
1400 SC1 900 LA1
1200 800
SC2 700 LA2
Load (N)

1000

Load (N)
SC3 600 LA3
800 500
600 SC4 LA4
400
400 SC5 300 LA5
200
200 SC6 LA6
100
0 SC7 0 LA7
0 0.15 0.3 0.45 0.6 0.75 0.9 1.05 0 0.055 0.11 0.165 0.22
Displacement (mm) Displacement (mm)

(c) Load displacement curve for notch depth = (d) Load displacement curve for notch depth =
0.1 beam depth for ‘C’ series mortar 0.5 beam depth for ‘A’ series mortar

1000 1000
900 LB1 900 LC1
800 800
700 LB2 700 LC2
Load (N)

Load (N)

600 LB3 600 LC3

500 500
400 LB4 400 LC4
300 LB5 300 LC5
200 200
100 LB6 LC6
100
0 LB7 0 LC7
0 0.055 0.11 0.165 0.22 0 0.055 0.11 0.165 0.22
Displacement (mm) Displacement (mm)

(e) Load displacement curve for notch depth = (f) Load displacement curve for notch depth =
0.5 beam depth for ‘B’ series mortar 0.5 beam depth for ‘C’ series mortar
Fig. 8. Load displacement for PSCBA blended mortar with notch depth = 0.1 beam depth and 0.5 beam depth.

3.5. Fracture energy
Load displacement curve for three series of mortar is shown in
Fig. 8. Load displacement curve for notch depth = 0.1 beam depth
for three series of mortar is depicted in Fig. 8(a)–(c) having larger
displacement value. With increase in sand content, the ultimate
load capacity of specimen also gets reduced. Up-to 10% of partial
replacement of OPC by PSCBA the load displacement curve shifts
right side of control mortar thus making slope of curve as lesser.
On further replacement of OPC by PSCBA the load displacement
curve shifts left and become much steeper thereby reducing the
area under load displacement curve. This result in lesser fracture
energy for higher replacement level of OPC by PSCBA. Smaller dis-
placement value with lesser load for the notch depth equal to 0.5
beam depth for three series of PSCBA blended mortar from load
is observed displacement curve is shown in Fig. 8(d)–(f). Similar
results are observed in literatures with addition of SCM’s result
in increase in area under load displacement curve up-to certain
limit [32].
Up-to 10% of partial replacement of OPC by PSCBA, the load dis-
placement curve shifts upwards with slighter change in slope there
by increasing the area under load displacement curve. But on fur-
ther increase in replacement level, the load displacement curve
shifts left and downwards thereby becoming steeper slope and
reduce the area under load displacement curve result in lesser
GF. Overall, on comparison of two group of specimens, it is
observed that the displacement at ultimate load was increased
than control specimen with increase in partial replacement level
of OPC by PSCBA up-to 15%. This implies that the incorporation
of PSCBA made the specimen as ductile. Besides it was noticed that
partial replacement of OPC by PSCBA up-to 15%, increased the ulti-
mate load but decreased the displacement making the specimen as
brittle nature.
GF of control mortar in three mixes, i.e., SA1, SB1 and SC1 is
178.489 N/m, 144.360 N/m and 112.360 N/m. Similarly, for LA1,
LB1 and LC1, GF value is 117.689 N/m, 100.800 N/m and
89.780 N/m. Djaknoun & Ouedraogo [72] found that the fracture
energy for mortar as 130 N/m for notch to depth ratio as 0.4, tested
at room temperature. Menou et al. [73], observed that the fracture
energy for the mortar as 110 N/m for notch to depth ratio as 0.2,
tested at room temperature. Yu et al. [32], casted mortar specimen
of size 160  40  40 mm with span of support as 100 m, for mor-
tar mix of cement to fly ash as 0.5, sand to cement ratio as 2, water
to binder ratio as 0.4, notch to depth ratio as 0.325 and obtained
compressive strength as 30 MPa at 28 days curing period, fracture
energy as 87.3 N/m at 28 days curing period. Ding et al. [9],

8
P. Jagadesh et al.
reported that fracture energy of mortar as 100.9 N/m for 28 days
curing period having compressive strength of 30 MPa for his mix
and experimental procedures (sand to cement ratio as 2, water to
binder ratio as 0.5, 515  100  100 mm with span to depth ratio
as 4, notch to depth ratio as 0.4).
With increase of sand content in mortar, the GF values are found
to decrease, due to decrease in strength of mix [49]. Further,
increase in replacement of OPC by PSCBA (Mixes SA3, SB3 and
SC3), the behaviour of the mixes changed to less stiff. The highest
GF is observed for SA3, SB3 and SC3 as 223.650 N/m, 174.223 N/m
and 141.870 N/m respectively. Optimum percentage of replace-
ment of OPC by PSCBA is observed as 10% for all the three series
of mortar. However, 15% replacement of OPC by PCSBA also shows
higher GF than control mortar.
On further increase in replacement of OPC by PSCBA, the slope
of curve becomes less stiffer results in decrease in GF. Accordingly,
there is decrease in GF is observed. Similarly, for higher usage of
SCM’s there is decrease in GF is observed in literatures [74]. Higher
amount of SCBA which makes mortar as more brittle and reduce
Fig. 9. FESEM images of 28 days cured PSCBA blended mortar.
9
Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846
the fracture load [74]. GF for SA4, SB4 and SC4 as 201.250 N/m,
158.934 N/m and 125.520 N/m. The increase in GF for SA5, SB5
and SC5 is slightly higher than control mortar is observed. GF for
25% and 30% replacement of OPC by PSCBA is found to lower than
control concrete. Cracks propagate through the three ways in mor-
tar viz., (1) Interface of cement paste and aggregate (2) Interparti-
cle minor cracks in aggregates [75] (3) cement paste. The interface
between aggregate and cement paste matrix is good for the mix A3,
B3 and C3 (Fig. 9(c), (e) and (f)) result in better mechanical
properties.
Increase in PSCBA content up to 10%, stiffness increased which
in turn, GF increased. This is due to formation of CSH results (Con-
firmed by XRD results in Fig. 10) in less pores and also pores in sys-
tem was filled by finer particle [24,26] (Confirmed by FESEM in
Fig. 9), thereby increase the density and stiffness of material as
high. Increase in density with addition of SCM’s result in higher
GF is observed by previous researchers [32]. After 10% replacement
level, the stiffness decreases i.e., the slope increases with increase
in replacement of OPC due to non-availability of lime for further
P. Jagadesh et al. Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846

Fig. 10. XRD images of 28 days cured PSCBA blended mortar.

pozzolanic reaction or presence of excess amount of PSCBA. With
increase in partial replacement of OPC by PSCBA, increase in water
content is observed for all three series of mortar (Fig. 4).
Excess water introduced in mortar to keep the flow value con-
stant; therefore, residual water evaporates and creates pores or
week links in paste matrix which results in initial crack formation
leads to decreases the fracture energy. When W/B ratio exceeds,
certain limit there is decrease in GF is observed. Similar to the
effect of water content on GF of PSCBA blended mortar, there is
effect of water content on GF for SCM’s like fly ash and ground

10
P. Jagadesh et al. Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846

granular blast furnace slag is observed in literature [43]. For SB4,
SB5, SB6 and SB7 mortars, decrease in GF is observed, i.e., 91.22%,
81.63%, 71.02% and 62.94% compared to SB3 mortar mix was
observed. Mortar mixes of SC4, SC5, SC6 and SC7 shows decrease
in GF as 88.44%, 76.42%, 63.01% and 51.49% when compared to
SC3 mortar was observed.
Higher replacement levels are less resistant to fatigue crack
growth is observed in both groups of specimens. Presence of more
amount of PSCBA content results in lesser formation of gel. Hence,
there is less amount of gel is available to bond around PSCBA par-
ticles. Bond between gel and PSCBA particles are poor and effi-
ciently acting as flaws that are now large when compared to
other flaws in the matrix [76]. Table 3 shows the GF for two groups
of PSCBA blended mortar. The stiffness values were also decreased
with increase in sand content in system was observed. When
aggregate content more, cement paste content is reduced result
in lower aggregate interlock forming a week link during crack
propagation [75]. And also, the cracks have a tendency to pass
through the non-hydrated cement particles rather than crossing
hydrated particles [77]. This is main reason for decrease in GF with
increase in sand content in mortar mix, which is confirmed by XRD
and FESEM as less formation of CSH.
3.6. Size independent fracture energy by RILEM work-of-fracture with
P– d tail correction and boundary effect method
The size independent fracture energy has been obtained by
using Eq. (1) is tabulated in Table 3. In the present calculations,
the tail region of P– d curve was assumed to vary linearly from P’
to zero load and d was computed using the know slope of the P–
d at du from the recorded reading of load displacement curve. Aver-
age of size independent fracture energy for the 0.1D notch depth
and 0.5D notch depth specimen of PSCBA blended mortar is tabu-
lated in Table 3. Decrease in size independent energy with increase
in sand content is observed from Table 3 due to drop out of aggre-
gates [78]. As result of lesser binder content in binding matrix with
increase in sand content result in drop out of aggregates. Increase
in sand content result in decrease in plastic fracture behaviour of
mortar [78].
Size independent fracture energy by BEM using Eq. (2) is tab-
ulated in Table 3. Similar results in size independent fracture
energy for P– d tail correction and BEM method is observed. Per-
centage of difference between P-d method and boundary effect
method with respect to boundary effect method for series ‘A’,
‘B’ and ‘C’ are in the range of 0.28% to 4.82%, 2.25% to 6.57%
and 3.56% to 8.68%. Percentage of difference between P-d method
and boundary effect method with respect to boundary effect
method is found to be less than 10% which is similar to the
results found by previous researchers [79]. Similar to result in
Table 3, with increase in notch to depth ratio of specimen result
in decrease of size independent fracture energy is observed by
Sagar & Prasad., 2010 [79,80].
From the studies, it was observed that the fracture energy cal-
culated by P– d method was lower than that boundary effect
method. Similar results were reported by several investigators
[33,40,79]. Higher value of fracture energy calculated by boundary
effect method is due to the conversion of size dependent fracture
energy to size independent fracture energy assuming distribution
which is bilinear stating that the fracture energy varies at the
end due to effect of stress-free back boundary of the components
is realized in the FPZ ahead of a real growing crack [81]. However,
the size independent fracture value calculated by both methods are
near same. Hence, it can be concluded that to find size independent
fracture energy either of method can be employed. Both methods
apply some corrections to the final part of the P– d diagram in
the work of fracture test [79,81].
Ratio of size dependent fracture energy to size independent
fracture energy depends on the shape of the softening curve
and the size of specimen [82]. Ratio of GF to Gf calculated by P-
d tail correction lies in the range of 1.50 to 1.63 for A series mor-
tar, 1.40 to 1.45 for B series mortar and 1.23 to 1.41 for C series
mortar. Whereas ratio of GF to Gf calculated by boundary effect
method lies in the range of 1.55 to 1.70 for A series mortar,
1.40 to 1.53 for B series mortar and 1.33 to 1.47 for C series mor-
tar. Increase in sand content result in decrease in the ratio is
observed. Most of the researchers observed that the ratio is lies
in the range of 2.25 to 3.5 for concrete with respect to different
types of strength [83–88]. However, Rhee et al. [89] calculated
the GF/Gf ratio for mortar as 1.94 which was less than typical
value for concrete. In present study, average GF/Gf ratio for A
series mortar is 1.59, B series mortar it is 1.48 and for C series
mortar it is 1.33.

Table 3
Fracture energy of PSCBA blended mortar.

Mix ID Fracture Energy (GF) N/m Size independent fracture energy (Gf) (N/m)
Group ‘S’ Group ‘L’ P – d tail correction (Average) Boundary effect
A1 178.489 117.689 240.54 252.12
A2 199.120 131.920 264.54 276.87
A3 223.650 147.920 286.65 287.43
A4 201.250 133.690 268.43 278.76
A5 180.270 120.890 238.97 247.65
A6 162.850 108.270 201.43 209.43
A7 145.430 97.780 181.98 188.44
B1 144.360 100.800 175.23 182.76
B2 158.580 108.090 193.76 203.43
B3 174.223 116.978 238.65 249.43
B4 158.934 111.823 190.32 199.76
B5 142.223 103.467 168.43 172.21
B6 123.734 95.289 154.21 159.23
B7 109.867 87.823 138.25 147.32
C1 112.360 89.780 142.87 148.54
C2 126.760 119.470 157.76 166.43
C3 141.870 150.050 182.65 193.76
C4 125.520 125.160 162.65 168.43
C5 108.450 112.720 139.42 147.32
C6 89.430 97.070 118.54 126.43
C7 73.070 88.000 98.75 107.32

11
P. Jagadesh et al.
3.7. Microscopic studies on PSCBA tested samples
To understand the effect of PSCBA as partial replacement and
increase in sand quantity on mechanical characteristics, the FESEM
studies were carried out in two steps. First, FESEM analysis was
carried out for the samples with higher compressive strength in
their respective groups (A3, B3 and C3) in order to understand
the morphological changes with respect to sand quantity. Second,
FESEM analysis was also extended to study the group which has
higher strength characteristics with partial replacement of OPC
by PSCBA as 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% (A1, A2, A3 and A4) in order to
understand the morphological behavior with respect to PSCBA
quantity. Fig. 9(a) depict the morphological characteristics of OPC
mortar without any addition of PSCBA. Propagation of crack in
cement paste and aggregate interface is observed. 5% of PSCBA
blended mortar shows presence of PSCBA (Fig. 9(b)) as filler [26]
in cement matrix.
Adequate quantity of PSCBA is responsible for formation of flaky
CSH due to pozzolanic reaction [19,24] in 10% replacement of OPC
by PSCBA is observed in Fig. 9(c). Even though some micro pores
are available on surface morphology, which was filled by PSCBA
particles (unreacted) are observed. The denser matrixes of CSH
(Confirmed by XRD in Fig. 10) exhibits fine layer networks is
observed are contributing to density. PSCBA particles surrounded
by cement matrix are clearly observed from Fig. 9(d). With increas-
ing PSCBA content in the mortar composition, less amorphous CSH
phase is observed and the microstructure becomes more porous
with more CH crystals (Fig. 9(d)) (confirmed by Fig. 10) are
observed. These two factors are contributing to decrease in
strength and density with increase in PSCBA content after opti-
mum percentage.
Good adhesion between sand particles and cementitious paste
(Fig. 9(c)) is observed, attributes to higher mechanical properties
of mortar. In case of B3 and C3 mortar, the ITZ becomes week
due to presence of large amount of sand particle is observed
(Fig. 9 (e) & (f)). The needle-shaped particles formation, which is
mostly crystalline silica, are inevitable since minimum level of
crystalline compound is achieved by appropriate processing tech-
niques. Each material will participate in hydration reactions based
on the particles size [11,25] and microstructure type [23].
It was reported that spherical ash particles were generally alu-
minosilicates whereas boxed shape particles were silica and
fibrous particles were carbon [20,90]. Ettringite (E) exist as long
slender needles, CH is precipitated as hexagonal plates (Fig. 9(e)
& (f)) as observed for ‘B’ and ‘C’ series of mortar when compared
to ‘A’ series (Fig. 9 (c)). The density of particle packing is also found
to be less for ‘B’ and ‘C’ series which directly reflects in the density
of those mortar when compared to ‘A’ series of mortar. To under-
stand the effect of sand and PSCBA replacement on formation of
hydration compounds can be studied with help of XRD. In order
to simplify the XRD studies, PSCBA blended mortar for 0%, 5%
and 10% replacement of OPC by PSCBA for all three series of mortar
were studied. CSH peaks are identified at 21° and 27° (2b), show
presence of CSH in Fig. 10. The intensity of CSH, alite and belite
(AB) and CH are increased as shown in Fig. 10(a) and (b) and it
decreased in Fig. 10(c). Similar trend can be observed for ‘B’ and
‘C’ series of mortar in Fig. 10(d) to 10 (i). The reduction in CH con-
tent for 10% replacement of OPC by PSCBA is observed for all three
series of mortar.
Intensity counts of CSH increase for A2 mix (Fig. 10(b)) com-
pared to A1 mix (Fig. 10(a)). But the maximum intensity for CSH
is observed in A3 mix (Fig. 10(c)) and confirmed by FESEM when
compared to all other series (Fig. 10(f) and (i)). Similar trend for
CSH intensity is observed for ‘B’ and ‘C’ series. The intensity counts
E decrease for A2 mix (Fig. 10(b)) compared to A1 mix (Fig. 10(a)) is
observed. But maximum decrease in intensity counts is observed in
12
Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846
A3 mix (Fig. 10(c)) when compared to all other series. The reduc-
tion CH with increase in replacement is also observed and it is con-
firmed by FESEM. The formation of E as result of hydration reaction
is also observed. The intensity of E decreases with increase in
PSCBA content is observed. E values decreases with increase in
PSCBA content on all three mixes were observed but decrease in
E value is more for Fig. 10(c) is observed than Fig. 10(i) and (f).
The reason for enhanced mechanical properties is due to morpho-
logical and chemical characteristics as discussed above are con-
firmed by FESEM and XRD.
Intensity counts of CSH is increased from A1 to A3 mix is
observed from Fig. 10(a) to (c), the increase in CSH is obtained as
a result of pozzolanic reaction between PSCBA and calcium
hydroxide from hydration reaction [10,20]. Intensity of alite and
belite (AB) decreases from A1 to A3 mix is observed in Fig. 10
(a)–(c) is due to with increase in replacement of OPC by PSCBA,
alite and belite content are reduced. For A3 mix, complete hydra-
tion reaction of alite and belite, which result in increase of CSH
[91,92] further. Intensity of calcium hydroxide (CH) is decreased
from A1 to A3 mix is observed in Fig. 10(a)–(c) is due to active form
of alumina or silica present in fine grained PSCBA when introduced
into cement mixture can react with CH which is formed during
cement hydration [91]. As a result, additional amount of CSH and
CASH phases are formed while CH is reduced [93]. Intensity counts
of Ettringite (E) is decreased from A1 to A3 mix is observed from
Fig. 10(a)–(c), is due to reduction or even elimination of ettringite
is achieved by partial replacement of OPC by finely divided poz-
zolan like PSCBA [94]. Pozzolanic reactions leaves very little CH
to form ettringite has an expansive nature [95] and this process
create micro cracks in the matrix [96].
3.8. Comparison of mechanical properties
Most of literatures shows the factors like aggregate size, binder
content, etc., influences the GF. But a limited literature is available
that there is direct relationship exhibit between some of mechan-
ical properties and GF. Compressive strength is a significant param-
eter for determining the behavior of structures and many other
mechanical properties depend [83]. Hence, it is necessary to estab-
lish relationship between basic mechanical property like compres-
sive strength to other mechanical properties for easy evaluation
during structural design [10]. In ‘A’ group mix, when an increase
in fcmk about 2.73%, ‘L’ group shows increase in GF as 12.09% and
‘S’ group shows increase in GF as 11.56% for 5% PSCBA blended
mortar compared to control mortar.
For 10% PSCBA blended mortar compared to control mortar,
increase in fcmk about 6.41%, ‘L’ group shows increase in GF as
25.61% and ‘S’ group shows increase in GF as 25.31%. Maximum
decrease in fcmk about 15.28%, ‘L’ group shows decrease in GF about
16.92% and ‘S’ group shows decrease in GF about 18.52% for 30%
PSCBA blended mortar compared to control mortar. With increase
in sand content decrease in fcmk result in decrease in GF is observed.
Increase in fracture energy about 13% and 11% for an increase in
fcmk about 53% and 29% is observed by Xie et al. [97]. Gettu et al.
[98] reported that with an increase in compressive strength about
160%, fracture energy increases about 12%. Increase in fcmk result in
increase in GF is already observed in literature [75,98,99] and also
there is an attempt made for developing relationship between frac-
ture energy and fcmk as power relationship [88] and linear relation-
ship [100]. Hence, the relationship between fracture energy and
fcmk developed are linear and power relationship. The coefficient
of determination (R2) value is in the range of 88.78% to 96.98%
for ‘S’ type of specimen and for ‘L’ type of specimen, the R2 value
is in the range of 52.01% to 89.51% for power relationship.
When compared to linear relationship, power relationship
holds valid relationship having higher the value of R2 is observed
P. Jagadesh et al. Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846

Fig. 11. Relationship between fracture energy and fcmk for PSCBA blended mortar.

in Fig. 11. Similar trend is observed with respect to relationship
between Gf and fcmk for PSCBA blended mortar and also observed
by previous researchers [78,101]. But both relationships are
showing not proper valid relationship with respect to R2 irrespec-
tive nature of fracture energy. Hence, it can be concluded that
there is no systematic relationship is established between frac-
ture energy and fcmk is observed by previous literatures
[84,102,103] because the increasing or decreasing in fracture
energy with increasing or decreasing strength is related to
aggregate.

Fig. 12. Comparison of Density and GF of PSCBA blended mortar.

13
P. Jagadesh et al.
Increase in density results in increase in GF up-to 10% partial
replacement of OPC by PSCBA for three series of mortar is depicted
in Fig. 12. Decrease in density results in decrease in GF on further
increase in partial replacement of OPC by PSCBA for three series
of mortar. Increase in sand quantity, result in decrease in GF and
density. Several authors (Kozlowski et al., 2015 [104], Rahman
et al., 2015 [105]) found that the relationship between density
and fracture energy is directly proportion which is confirmed by
present experimental results also.
4. Conclusion
PSCBA blended mortar with 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5 (blended cement:
sand) enhances the mechanical, fracture and microscopic studies
compared to control mixes for 7, 14, 28, 56 and 112 days curing
period. Based on extensive experimental results, following conclu-
sion are drawn

W/B ratio increases with increase in PSCBA content due to
microstructural properties of PSCBA particles. W/B ratio
increase with increase in sand content due to sand properties.

Optimum replacement percentage of OPC by PSCBA based on
density, strength and fracture energy properties is found to be
10%. Enhanced properties are due to (a) formation of more
amount of secondary CSH and CASH (b) reduction in calcium
hydroxide (c) reduction in pores (d) filler effect of PSCBA (e)
smaller particle have greater reactivity with more surface area
to react and (f) micro structure properties of SCBA particle.

On further replacement levels, there is decrease in properties
are observed due to (a) less binder content (b) more amount
of SCBA particles in binding matrix (c) less formation of CSH
(d) availability of more amount of CH and (e) more amount of
SCBA result in more quantity of water in binding system later
evaporates and forms more pores.

Increase in sand content result in decrease in properties is
observed due to (a) less binding content in binding system (b)
increase in water content to achieve same workability leads to
more porous and less binding of aggregates (c) less formation
of CSH and CASH.

The specific fracture energy measured using the RILEM work-of-
fracture procedure is found dependent on the notch to depth
ratio. The fracture energy decreases with the increase of notch
depth. The correction of the size-dependent fracture energy
by the two models namely, RILEM work-of-fracture method
with P–d tail correction and boundary effect method resulted
in nearly same size-independent fracture energy irrespective
of the notch to depth ratio of the same specimen. The percent-
age difference between these two values is less than 10%.
Designers can employ any of two method to find size indepen-
dent fracture energy for analysis of cracked components.

Change in mechanical properties are confirmed by microscopic
studies. Microscopic studies (FESEM and XRD) shows that more
formation of CSH and lesser formation of ettringite and CH with
lesser formation of alite and belite are confirmed up-to 10% of
OPC replacement by PSCBA result in denser nature of mortar.

Relationships derived between GF and fcmk & GF and density of
PSCBA blended mortar will be useful to predict the approximate
values and also will be useful for the design of new experiments
of similar mixes.
It can be concluded that the partial replacement of OPC by
PSCBA in cement up-to 10% extent does not alter the scope of
the mortar application. Hence, the application of blended cement
in mortar was investigated experimentally to reduce the environ-
mental burden and enhance the blended cement properties.
14
Construction and Building Materials 262 (2020) 120846
CRediT authorship contribution statement
P. Jagadesh: Methodology, Investigation, Writing - original
draft. A. Ramachandra Murthy: Conceptualization, Validation,
Formal analysis, Writing - review & editing. R. Murugesan:
Supervision.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing finan-
cial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared
to influence the work reported in this paper.
Acknowledgement
The help and support provided by the technical staff and non-
technical staff of Structural Engineering Laboratory and Strength
of Materials Laboratory, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coim-
batore, Tamil Nadu to carry out the experiments is greatly
acknowledged.
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