Investigations on the use of garnet granulites in the preparation of high strength portland cement

The preparation of ordinary portland cement (OPC), 43 grade as per I.S.: 8112 is possible by using garnet bearing granulites from the chalk hills of Salem, as a replacement material for argillaceous components in cement raw meal. The petrographic study of garnet granulites reveals the presence of minerals like garnet, clinopyroxene, plagioclase feldspar, chlorite, hornblende, biotite and quartz. In the present investigation the enhanced reactivity is noticed from 1250 degrees C to 1350 degrees C. The performance of the cement exhibits excellent strength properties with 310 Kg/cm(2), 420 Kg/cm(2), 460 Kg/cm(2) and 500 Kg/cm(2) for 1, 3, 7 and 28 days respectively. Presence of high alkalis in the cement slightly accelerated the setting time and raised the early strength. The paper describes briefly the geological background and various lithe units present in the chalk hills. The field characteristics and petrography of garnet granulites are also described.