Effect of metakaolin as partially cement replacement on the compressive strength of standard mortars

Abstract

This study presents the effect of incorporating synthesized metakaolin on the compressive strength of standard mortars for a constant water/binder ratio of 0.5. Synthesized metakaolin mixtures with cement replacement of 5, 10, 15 and 20% were tested. From the results, it was observed that 15 % replacement level was the optimum level in terms of compressive strength. Beyond 15 % replacement levels, the strength was decreased but remained higher than the control mixture. Compressive strength of 52 MPa was achieved at 15 % replacement. This investigation has shown that it is possible to produce high strength mortars using local kaolin.