The effect of fineness on the properties of the blended cements incorporating ground granulated blast furnace slag and ground basaltic pumice

In this study, the effect of the fineness on the compressive strength, sodium sulfate resistance and the heat of hydration of the both blended and plain Portland cement (PPC) were investigated. The grinding time of both clinker and additives were also studied. The result indicated that ground basaltic pumice (GBP) and clinker had lower grindability compared to ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS). Blended cement had higher strength values, particularly at later ages, compared to PPC for the same Blaine values. It was observed that the finer ground blended cement specimens had higher compressive strength, sodium sulfate resistance compared to the coarser blended cement and PPC. The heat of the hydration of blended cement was lower than the heat of hydration of PPC when the fineness was held constant.