Abstract
With the growing demand for construction materials, the construction industry exploring new composites with high ductility, tensile strength, and toughness, apart from compressive strength. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using Cationic bitumen emulsion (CBE) in cement concrete and mortar as an admixture to enhance the mechanical properties. In the first part of the experimental work, the CBE was used as a partial replacement to cement in some mixes, and as an additive by volume of cement in other mixes. The proportions of CBE used were 10%, 20% and 50% by volume of cement the targeted compressive strength was achieved in the mix containing 10% CBE as additive to cement, while in all other mixes, the target strength was not achieved. In the second part of experimental work, workability, compressive strength, and flexure strength of concrete having 0%, 10%, 20% of CBE were studied. Workability of the concrete decreased with the increase in CBE content. The addition of more than 10% CBE to concrete resulted in decreased compressive and flexural strengths. On the contrary, the addition of 10% CBE increased the flexural strength of the concrete by 37% after 28 days. The factors affecting the compressive strength of CBE cement concrete are poor adhesion between cement paste and aggregates, and voids caused due to de-emulsification of CBE.