Rheological and mechanical properties of cement mortar made with Kanhash and Khazer sands: A comparative study

This paper presents results from a laboratory study showing the influence of sand type and sand grain size on the properties of the cement mortars. The experimental study includes the rheological and mechanical properties of cement mortar made with two types of sand (Kanhash sand and Khazer sand) with a three maximum size of aggregate (2.36mm, 1.18mm and 0.6mm). The results indicate that the angular particles of Khazer sand, compared to spherical particles of Kanhash sand, tend to raise the demand level of water for a given workability due to higher voids content. The cement mortar's compressive strength made by Kanhash sand, is higher than that made by Khazer sand. Such strength has increased by about 68% for aggregate size 2.36mm. Whereas the highest flexural strength of cement mortar was obtained by Kanhash sand with maximum aggregate size 2.36mm giving an increase by about 34% compared to Khazer sand. Additionally, the highest tensile strength arise in cement mortar incorporating with Kanhash sand with maximum aggregate size 2.36mm that was increased by about 18% compared to Khazer sand.