Abstract Multi-purpose mortars are widely used for masonry and wall rendering, with hydrated lime commonly added to improve workability. This study evaluated the feasibility of replacing hydrated lime and partially replacing Portland cement with red latosol clay in multi-purpose mortars. Mortars with a 1:1:6 ratio (cement: hydrated lime: sand) were produced with 0%, 50%, and 100% hydrated lime replacement by red latosol clay, as well as 10% and 20% cement replacement. Fresh, mechanical, and microstructural properties were evaluated through consistency, squeeze flow, compressive strength, water absorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that replacing hydrated lime with red latosol clay reduced consistency, with flow values decreasing from 265 mm for the reference mortar to 245 mm and 145 mm for 50% and 100% clay replacement, respectively. Conversely, squeeze flow results indicated improved deformability, with displacement increasing from 4.3 mm (reference) to 6.7 mm for the 100% clay mixture. Mortars with 10–20% cement replacement exhibited rheological behavior comparable to the reference mixture. Red latosol clay incorporation also enhanced compressive strength, increasing from 5.19 MPa in the reference mortar to 6.10 MPa and 7.18 MPa for 50% and 100% clay replacement, respectively, corresponding to a strength gain of approximately 38% in the latter case. Microstructural analyses suggested that these improvements are associated with filler effects and partial pozzolanic activity of the clay, contributing to denser matrices and additional hydration products. Overall, the partial replacement of hydrated lime with red latosol clay proved technically feasible, improving mechanical performance while maintaining suitable workability characteristics.
Soares et al. (Sat,) studied this question.
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