Geological Behavior (GBR)

The purpose of present study is to assess the physicochemical characteristics of bloated basalt for its sustainability in cement industry. Data reveal that the silica content in bloated sample is 66.82% which is 6% higher than the silica reported in an unbloated sample. Decreasing sulphur trioxide (SO3) content in bloated basalt samples reduced the chances of internal sulfate attack. All chemical parameters of bloated basalt are within permissible limits and follow the corresponding standards. LOI and density of unbloated basalt is 2.9% and 0.1% that after heating reduced to 0.41% to 2.41 respectively. The compressive strength of the bloated sample shows slightly greater strength on 2, 7 and 28 days as compared to unbloated. By the addition of 5% bloated basalt sample in OPC the initial and final setting time increased from 15 to 20 minutes and from 5 to 10 minutes, respectively. Specific gravity shows a continuous decrease in the mass with the increase in temperature. The comparison of 5% bloated basalt powder by their replacement in OPC as a Pozzolanic cementitious material reveal that there is no major effect on the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of the cement.