Influence of the usage of waste oyster shell powder on mechanical properties and durability of mortar

In order to investigate feasibility of waste oyster shell powder (WOSP) as fine aggregate to produce ecofriendly mortar, workability (slump flow and slump flow loss), mechanical properties (compressive strength and flexural strength), durability (sorptivity, volume of permeability coefficient, water permeability coefficient and chloride ion diffusion coefficient) and microstructure (pore size diffusion) were studied. The effect of replacing river sand with different WOSP proportions (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) in flowability, strength, permeability and microstructure of mortar have been revealed. The results indicate that increasing substitution ratio of WOSP could decrease the mortar slump flow. The utilization of WOSP in mortar enhanced the compressive strength, flexural strength, resistance to water penetration and chloride diffusion. The WOSP addition exhibits a positive contribution to the pore size distribution of the mortar. Furthermore, it is founded that the utilization of WOSP as construction material is a satisfactory way to reduce waste pollution. Based on its superior mechanical property, durability, eco-efficiency and cost-efficiency in mortar, it is recommended to utilize WOSP alternative to river sand at 10-30% in construction engineering. (C) 2022 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan.