Performance Evaluation of Mortar Incorporating Olivine Sand as a Partial Cement Replacement: Mechanical, Microstructural, and Durability Aspects

  • Unique Paper ID: 181360
  • PageNo: 3868-3886
  • Abstract:
  • The construction industry’s environmental footprint, driven by Portland cement production’s high CO2 emissions, necessitates sustainable alternatives. This study explores olivine sand, a magnesium-iron silicate mineral, as a partial cement replacement in mortar cubes. Mortar mixtures with 5–30% olivine sand substitution were prepared, maintaining consistent workability. Olivine was characterized using XRF, XRD, SEM, and particle size analysis. Fresh properties (workability, setting time, density) and hardened properties (compressive/flexural strength, density, water absorption) were assessed at various curing ages. Microstructural analysis via SEM-EDS and XRD examined hydration products and interfacial transition zones. Results indicate olivine’s potential as a filler, with possible slow pozzolanic activity, influencing strength and durability. Statistical validation confirmed significant effects of replacement levels. Findings suggest optimal olivine incorporation ranges, contributing to sustainable cementitious materials and reduced clinker reliance.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{181360,
        author = {Likhit M L and Pavan Kumar and Redeppa},
        title = {Performance Evaluation of Mortar Incorporating Olivine Sand as a Partial Cement Replacement: Mechanical, Microstructural, and Durability Aspects},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {1},
        pages = {3868-3886},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=181360},
        abstract = {The construction industry’s environmental footprint, driven by Portland cement production’s high CO2 emissions, necessitates sustainable alternatives. This study explores olivine sand, a magnesium-iron silicate mineral, as a partial cement replacement in mortar cubes. Mortar mixtures with 5–30% olivine sand substitution were prepared, maintaining consistent workability. Olivine was characterized using XRF, XRD, SEM, and particle size analysis. Fresh properties (workability, setting time, density) and hardened properties (compressive/flexural strength, density, water absorption) were assessed at various curing ages. Microstructural analysis via SEM-EDS and XRD examined hydration products and interfacial transition zones. Results indicate olivine’s potential as a filler, with possible slow pozzolanic activity, influencing strength and durability. Statistical validation confirmed significant effects of replacement levels. Findings suggest optimal olivine incorporation ranges, contributing to sustainable cementitious materials and reduced clinker reliance.},
        keywords = {Olivine sand, Cement replacement, Supplementary cementitious materials, Mortar properties, Compressive strength, Flexural strength, Microstructural analysis, Pozzolanic activity, Sustainability, CO2 emissions, Hydration products, Interfacial transition zone, X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Durability.},
        month = {June},
        }

Cite This Article

L, L. M., & Kumar, P., & Redeppa, (2025). Performance Evaluation of Mortar Incorporating Olivine Sand as a Partial Cement Replacement: Mechanical, Microstructural, and Durability Aspects. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), 12(1), 3868–3886.

Related Articles