Effect of cement kiln dust (CKD) on mortar and concrete mixtures

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of cement kiln dust (CKD) as a cementitious material in concrete and mortar. CKD was added to concrete and mortar mixtures to study its effect on the strength and on the ability of the cover zone to absorb water, an important factor in the deterioration process. Experimental results on compressive strengths, flexural strength and toughness of concrete samples containing CKD are reported. The sorptivity and the initial surface absorption tests (ISAT) of mortars were used to measure the absorption characteristics for different mortar samples containing CKD. It was found that substitution of cement with CKD does not lead to strength gain for all samples studied and proper addition of CKD has no negative effects on strength properties. It is also shown that mortars prepared using suitable amounts of CKD have better absorption characteristics. However, above certain limits, the water absorption of the mortar increased with increasing CKD contents and decreasing mortar strengths. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.