Abstract
The utilization of pozzolans in cementitious system (concrete and mortar) minimizes both cost and energy. It also enhances mechanical strength and durability of the system. The total contribution of pozzolans can be categorized into two: (i) physical or filler effect which is attributed by the fineness of the particles and (ii) chemical or pozzolanic effect which is attributed by the pozzolanic reaction. It is difficult to quantify the strength development of cementitious system caused by the filler and pozzolanic effect separately. Therefore, the individual contribution of pozzolans in cementitious system because of its physical and chemical effects need to be profoundly understood by the scientific community. This paper reviews available literatures to understand the effect of non-reactive fillers that attributed as the microfiller effect of pozzolans in cementitious systems. The previous studies utilized chemically inactive materials that attributed only the microfiller activity of pozzolans for a partial replacement of cement. It was reported that filler effect is equal or sometimes more significant than pozzolanic effect in concrete. A larger range of replacement percentages (like 5%, 10%, 15% or 10%, 20%, 30% etc.) was used in the previous studies. However, probabilities of the optimum compressive strength because of the filler effect may lie in between two larger range of replacement percentages. Therefore, an experimental work is also carried out using natural ground sand of size 7.6-mu m at a lower range of cement replacement percentages (like 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% etc.) in mortar. Compressive strength of mortar at different ages and microstructure analysis of mortar at 28 days were performed in this study. Test results showed that the filler effect is more pronounced at a lower replacement percentages of cement (0-10%) while using smaller non-reactive fillers. The maximum strength due to filler effect of ground sand is acheieved at 7.5% replacement of cement. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images also confirmed the effect of fillers on the microstructure development of mortar.