Evaluation of Boron Ore in Cement Production

Abstract

A new genre of high belite cement named boron-modified active belite (BAB) cement that was developed using byproduct of boric acid production was investigated. The cement proved superior in compressive strength and permeability characteristics in the previous studies. Long term storage of cement is known to alter the mechanical properties of concrete made with the aged cement. The article investigated the BAB cement in aged condition-stored in silos for about three years-variations of mechanical and physical properties of specimens during a one-year period. An additional comparison is also performed with specimens cast using fresh Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) of the same grade in order to present the development of mechanical and physical properties in a qualitative manner. Lower 28 day compressive strength values are observed for BAB cement compared to OPC specimens; however, higher rate of strength development of BAB cement resulting from high belite content led to comparable long term strength values with OPC specimens.