Hydrothermal Characteristics of Blended Cement Pastes Containing Silica Sand Using Cement Kiln Dust as an Activator

The hydrothermal reactivity of silica sand was studied using cement kiln dust (CKD) as an activator in addition to the Portland cement fraction of El-Karnak cement (a blend of ordinary Portland cement and ground sand). Autoclaved EI-Karnak cement pastes were studied at pressures of 0.507, 1.013 and 1.520 MPa of saturated steam with respect to their compressive strength, kinetics of hydrothermal reaction and the phase composition of the formed hydrates. The role of CKD in affecting the physicochemical and mechanical properties of EI-Karnak cement pastes was studied by autoclaving of several pastes containing 5, 7.5, 10 and 20% CKD at a pressure of 1.013 MPa of saturated steam. CKD was added either as a raw CKD (unwashed) or after washing with water (washed CKD). The results of these physicochemical studies obtained could be related as much as possible to the role of CKD (raw or washed) in affecting the hydrothermal reactivity of silica sand in EI-Karnak cement pastes.