Influence of Finer Ceramic Roof-Tile Waste Powder as a Cement Substitute on Mortar Properties

The increasing demand for sustainable construction materials has intensified interest in reusing ceramic waste as a supplementary material in cementitious systems due to its potential to reduce environmental impacts and enhance resource efficiency. Previous studies indicated that ceramic roof tile waste powder (CTP) with a fineness value greater than that of cement did not contribute to an enhancement in the compressive strength of mortar. This study investigates CTP with a higher fineness than cement. Experimental parameters include fineness analysis, mortar flow, setting time, and compressive strength test. The instruments used are the Blaine tools for fineness testing, the flow table for mortar flow testing, the Vicat tools for setting time testing, and the Mortar Compression Machine for compressive strength testing. Mortar specimens (5 × 5 × 5 cm3) were prepared by partially replacing cement with CTP at different substitution levels. The results indicate that the addition of finely ground CTP increases mortar flow, extends setting time, and enhances compressive strength, suggesting its potential as a supplementary cementitious material in mortar applications.