Evaluation of the potential use of Nevşehir stone powder as a portland cement substitute in self-compacting mortars

The manufacturing of Portland cement is contributing to a rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions. Consequently, the utilization of natural resources and waste materials possessing pozzolanic qualities in lieu of Portland cement has become imperative. This article examines the efficacy of Nevşehir stone dust, a naturally occurring pozzolanic material, as a substitute for Portland cement in the manufacturing of self-compacting mortar. A laboratory study was performed to assess the efficacy of mortar formulated with 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% Nevşehir stone powder as a substitute for Portland cement. Prismatic specimens of 40x40x160 mm were utilized to assess the initial mechanical properties of the self-compacting mortar. The spread widths of self-compacting mortars have been established according to the standards set by the European Federation of Specialist Construction Chemicals and Concrete Systems. Samples formulated with specified ratios of Nevşehir stone powder were submerged in water at a temperature of 23±2 ̊C for a duration of 3 days. After a duration of three days, early age flexural and compressive strength tests were performed on the samples that had concluded their curing time. The experimental analysis revealed that the highest compressive strengths were seen in the reference samples and in the combinations with a 5% substitution of cement with Nevşehir stone dust. The results obtained show that Nevşehir stone powder provides a positive effect on flexural strength but causes decreases in compressive strength.