The effect of elevated temperature on the properties of cement mortars containing nanosilica and heavyweight aggregates

The results clearly demonstrate that there is an optimal nanosilica content, in the cement mortar containing quartz and magnetite aggregate, improving the thermal resistance and preventing the crack extension (especially in the range of 200-400 °C). However, the study has also shown that cement mortars containing barite aggregate tend to crack and exhibit spalling as a result of low thermal resistance of the aggregate.