Physical and transfer properties of mortar containing coal bottom ash aggregates from Tefereyre (Niger)

The results show that incorporating coal bottom ash in mortar causes an increase in the apparent porosity and that leads to an increase of the water absorption and the apparent permeability of the samples at 28 days curing age. The densification of bottom ash mortar during the curing age contributed to significantly reduce the increase in the porosity and the apparent permeability. This densification was confirmed by SEM analysis and ultrasonic velocity measurement. However, the use of coal bottom ash reduces the specific weight and the thermal conductivity of cementitious materials. Overall, the mortars containing coal bottom ash offer an opportunity to recycle (by-product) wastes.