Properties and pozzolanic reaction degree of tuff in cement-based composite

In order to investigate the feasibility and advantage of tuff used as pozzolan in cement-based composite, the representative specimens of tuff were collected, and their chemical compositions, proportion of vitreous phase, mineral species, and rock structure were measured by chemical composition analysis, petrographic analysis, and XRD. Pozzolanic activity strength index of tuff was tested by the ratio of the compression strength of the tuff/cement mortar to that of a control cement mortar. Pozzolanic reaction degree, and the contents of CH and bond water in the tuff/cement paste were determined by selective hydrochloric acid dissolution, and DSC-TG, respectively. The tuffs were demonstrated to be qualified supplementary binding material in cement-based composite according to relevant standards. The tuffs possessed abundant on chemical composition and plentiful content of amorphous phase on rock texture. The pozzolanic reaction degrees of the tuffs in the tuff/cement pastes were gradually increased with prolongation of curing time. The consistency of CH consumption and pozzolanic reaction degree was revealed. Variation of the pozzolanic reaction degree was enhanced with the bond water content and relationship between them appeared to satisfy an approximating linear law. The fitting linear regression equation can be applied to mutual conversion between pozzolanic reaction degree and bond water content.