Hydration Characteristics and Fire Resistance of Basalt- Limestone-Silica fume Pozzolanic-Filled Cement Pastes

The effect of limestone filler on the hydration characteristics as well as the fire resistance of basalt-silica fume pozzolanic cement pastes up to 800°C has been investigated. The investigation of the hydration characteristics of hydrated cement pastes was assessed by determination of the combined water, bulk density, total porosity and compressive strength. The effect of fire on the cement pastes was investigated from the weight loss, bulk density, total porosity and compressive strength up to 800°C for two hours. Although partial replacement of basalt both by silica fume and limestone does not offer additional enhancement on the hydration characteristics of used control cement paste, it does not reduce the fire resistance of hardened cement pastes up to 600°C due to the filling role of limestone. From the above findings it can be concluded that pozzolanic cement pastes which contain 80% OPC, 0-5% basalt, 10% silica fume and 5-10% limestone can be used as fire resisting cement.