%0 Journal Article %T Portland Cement Mortar Composite with Partial Sand Replacement by Eggshell Particles %A Antonio Ludovico Beraldo %J Open Journal of Inorganic Non-metallic Materials %P 45-53 %@ 2164-6805 %D 2014 %I Scientific Research Publishing %R 10.4236/ojinm.2014.44007 %X Agro-industrial activities generate a large amount of wastes. According to their specific properties, most of them can partially replace mineral aggregates, aiming to produce non-structural cement composites. In this research work, the behavior of a Portland cement mortar with partial replacement of sand by treated eggshell particles (0% to 66%) has been evaluated. Firstly, chemical compatibility between eggshell particles and Portland cement was carried by hydration curves. In a second step, a mixture of cement mortar based on treated eggshell (cold water, warm water and oven-dry) was prepared. Composite hardening was monitored by an ultrasound technique. At initial ages, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) along the time was sensitivity enough to detect the sand-to-eggshell ratio effect. Compressive strength at 28 days ranged from 23 to 9 MPa depending on sand to eggshell particles ratio, which indicated that the composite was suitable for non-bearing structures, mainly at rural areas. %K Non-Conventional Materials %K NDE %K Ultrasound %K Hydration Curve %K Agricultural Waste %U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=49938