Mechanical behavior and durability of mortars with quartzite and Portland cement after sulfate attack

ABSTRACT The residues of ornamental rocks, especially quartzite, cause great environmental impact. More impulse has been given to research on the recycling of these residues over the last years, particularly for use as aggregates in concrete and mortar. Nevertheless, the studies conducted so far do not mention the behavior of the mortar blended with aggregates coming from residues of ornamental rocks when under chemical attacks in sulfate-rich environment. Thus, in the present study it was sought to add quartzite residues to the mortar, verifying its mechanical behavior and its durability when attacked by sodium sulfate (Na2SO4). The durability of the mortar blended with quartzite residues under sulfate attack was evaluated by the dimensional variation of the test specimens when immersed in sodium sulfate solution, according to the methodology of the NBR 13583 standard. Were used the following complementary techniques: simple compressive strength, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric and differential analysis. From the tests, it was verified that the mortars, after attack of sodium sulfate, presented dimensional expansions superior to 0.06%, as well as increased mechanical strength. Therefore, although it was found that the specimens incorporated with quartzite residues were attacked by sulfate, it was observed that it was not able to form sufficient secondary ettringite to mechanically damage the specimens submitted to the sodium sulfate attack. RESUMO Os resíduos de rochas ornamentais, especialmente quartzito, causam grande impacto ambiental. Mais impulso tem sido dado à pesquisa sobre a reciclagem desses resíduos nos últimos anos, particularmente para uso como agregados em concreto e argamassa. No entanto, os estudos realizados até o momento não mencionam o comportamento da argamassa misturada com agregados provenientes de resíduos de rochas ornamentais quando submetidos a ataques químicos em ambientes ricos em sulfato. Assim, no presente trabalho buscou-se adicionar resíduos de quartzito à argamassa, verificando seu comportamento mecânico e sua durabilidade quando atacado por sulfato de sódio (Na2SO4). A durabilidade da argamassa mesclada com resíduos de quartzito sob ataque de sulfato foi avaliada pela variação dimensional dos corpos de prova quando imersos em solução de sulfato de sódio, de acordo com a metodologia da norma NBR 13583. Utilizaram-se as seguintes técnicas complementares: resistência à compressão simples, difração de raios X e anális