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Influence of the clay/cement ratio on the water durability of tuff-based mortars: mineralogical, microstructural, and mechanical correlations.

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Title: Influence of the clay/cement ratio on the water durability of tuff-based mortars: mineralogical, microstructural, and mechanical correlations.
Authors: Feredj, Bouabdellah1 (AUTHOR), Abou-Bekr, Nabil1 (AUTHOR), Bencheikh, Mohamed2 (AUTHOR), Boulekbache, Bensaid3 (AUTHOR) b.boulekbache@univ-chlef.dz, Ait Atmane, Hassen4 (AUTHOR), Safer, Omar5 (AUTHOR)
Source: Geomechanics & Geoengineering. Jun2026, Vol. 21 Issue 3, p671-688. 18p.
Subject Terms: *Water damage, *Mortar, *Microstructure, *Compressive strength, *Mechanical behavior of materials, *Mineralogical chemistry
Abstract: This study assesses the water durability of tuff-based mortars stabilised with clay and cement. Three formulations are tested: M1 (15% cement, 10% clay), M2 (10% cement, 15% clay), and M3 (5% cement, 20% clay). The results demonstrate a predominant influence of the clay/cement ratio. Formulation M1 exhibits the best performance, with a 28-day compressive strength of 8.15 MPa, a low capillary absorption coefficient (Cb of 9.78 g/cm2.min0.5), and minimal mass loss (7.28%) after 12 drying – wetting cycles. In contrast, mortar M3, which is richer in clay, exhibits poor compressive strength (2.97 MPa), strong capillarity (Cb = 19.24 g/cm2.min0.5), and significant degradation (20.88% mass loss). A paradox is resolved: although the literature indicates that the identified clay minerals (kaolinite/muscovite) are typically associated with low cation exchange capacity and limited swelling potential, the fine fraction of the clay induces textural swelling and destructive capillary pressures during hydraulic cycles. SEM-EDS analyses reveal a heterogeneous microstructure with impurities (Fe, K) that may intensify degradation. The durability is governed by the composite microstructure rather than mineralogy alone. Cement content greater 15% is essential to ensure the long-term stability of earth-based mortars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
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  Availability: 0
Header DbId: enr
DbLabel: Energy & Power Source
An: 194058287
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
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  Label: Title
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  Data: Influence of the clay/cement ratio on the water durability of tuff-based mortars: mineralogical, microstructural, and mechanical correlations.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Feredj%2C+Bouabdellah%22">Feredj, Bouabdellah</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Abou-Bekr%2C+Nabil%22">Abou-Bekr, Nabil</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bencheikh%2C+Mohamed%22">Bencheikh, Mohamed</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Boulekbache%2C+Bensaid%22">Boulekbache, Bensaid</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> b.boulekbache@univ-chlef.dz</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ait+Atmane%2C+Hassen%22">Ait Atmane, Hassen</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Safer%2C+Omar%22">Safer, Omar</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Geomechanics+%26+Geoengineering%22">Geomechanics & Geoengineering</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 21 Issue 3, p671-688. 18p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Water+damage%22">Water damage</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mortar%22">Mortar</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Microstructure%22">Microstructure</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Compressive+strength%22">Compressive strength</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mechanical+behavior+of+materials%22">Mechanical behavior of materials</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mineralogical+chemistry%22">Mineralogical chemistry</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study assesses the water durability of tuff-based mortars stabilised with clay and cement. Three formulations are tested: M1 (15% cement, 10% clay), M2 (10% cement, 15% clay), and M3 (5% cement, 20% clay). The results demonstrate a predominant influence of the clay/cement ratio. Formulation M1 exhibits the best performance, with a 28-day compressive strength of 8.15 MPa, a low capillary absorption coefficient (Cb of 9.78 g/cm2.min0.5), and minimal mass loss (7.28%) after 12 drying – wetting cycles. In contrast, mortar M3, which is richer in clay, exhibits poor compressive strength (2.97 MPa), strong capillarity (Cb = 19.24 g/cm2.min0.5), and significant degradation (20.88% mass loss). A paradox is resolved: although the literature indicates that the identified clay minerals (kaolinite/muscovite) are typically associated with low cation exchange capacity and limited swelling potential, the fine fraction of the clay induces textural swelling and destructive capillary pressures during hydraulic cycles. SEM-EDS analyses reveal a heterogeneous microstructure with impurities (Fe, K) that may intensify degradation. The durability is governed by the composite microstructure rather than mineralogy alone. Cement content greater 15% is essential to ensure the long-term stability of earth-based mortars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=enr&AN=194058287
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/17486025.2025.2607015
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 18
        StartPage: 671
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Water damage
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mortar
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Microstructure
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Compressive strength
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mechanical behavior of materials
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      – SubjectFull: Mineralogical chemistry
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Influence of the clay/cement ratio on the water durability of tuff-based mortars: mineralogical, microstructural, and mechanical correlations.
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            NameFull: Feredj, Bouabdellah
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            NameFull: Abou-Bekr, Nabil
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            NameFull: Boulekbache, Bensaid
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            NameFull: Ait Atmane, Hassen
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            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Text: Jun2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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            – TitleFull: Geomechanics & Geoengineering
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