Improving Concrete Properties Through the Blending of White Portland Cement, Mustard Husk Ash and Gypsum to Enhance Sustainability and Performance

The effect of mustard husk ash (MHA) on white Portland cement (WPC) has been studied in this paper. The partial replacement of WPC by MHA and gypsum (GS) is investigated by different experimental techniques. Here, 12% of WPC has been replaced by MHA. We also added 3% GS. Which acts as a retarder for setting time. We examined setting times for different compositions of WPC and MHA. In some compositions, 3% GS is added. We also determine the Ca2+ ion concentration and compressive strength of blended and control WPC. Compressive strength shows that after 28 days of hydration, the strength of blended WPC is greater than control WPC. The formation of calcium-silicate-hydrate gel (C-S-H) by the pozzolanic reaction is the main reason behind this increasing strength. The formation of C-S-H gel is also shown by the Ca2+ ion concentration graph. The decrease in Ca2+ ion concentration shows that Ca2+ ions get consumed in reaction to form C-S-H. From these experiments, it is clear that 12MHA3GS blended WPC is better than control WPC.