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Go to Editorial ManagerThis study evaluates the performance of cement mortar incorporating micro silica (MS) and thermally treated date seed ash (DS) as sustainable partial cement replacements, in line with the demand for improved construction materials that utilize available resources. In the absence of an understanding of the behavior resulting from combining MS and DS within a hybrid replacement system particularly regarding how different blending ratios influence mortar performance and mix integrity. To achieve this, five mixtures were prepared with a total replacement level of 20% including three hybrid blends and were assessed through flowability, compressive strength, sorptivity, dry density, water absorption, and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) tests. Predictive models have also been developed to estimate chloride and sulfate penetration based on physical and non-destructive indicators. The results showed that the hybrid mixture MS15–DS5 demonstrated the most notable enhancement compared to the control mix, achieving a 6% increase in compressive strength a 42% reduction in sorptivity and clear increases in dry density and pulse velocity indicating a more compact internal structure. The MS10–DS10 mixture also exhibited improved behavior, though to a lesser degree. In contrast, increasing the DS content led to performance deterioration, where MS5–DS15 showed reduced strength and higher sorptivity and DS20 presented the weakest response, with an 8% reduction in compressive strength and a 32% increase in sorptivity. The predictive models also demonstrated high accuracy achieving R2 of 0.989 and 0.983 for chloride and sulfate penetration, respectively, supporting their ability to estimate future behavior based on physical properties. These results provide a clearer understanding of how combining MS and DS influences mortar behavior and mix integrity, and they contribute to the development of sustainable cementitious mixtures with improved performance when appropriate replacement levels are selected.
The main objective of the present paper is to investigate the effect of fineness moduli (FM) of fine aggregate on fresh properties (flow ability. Passing ability and segregation resistance), and hardened properties (compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity UPV) of self-compacting concrete (SCC). Four values of FM 2.3, 2.5, 2.7 and 3.1 were used, according to acceptance range of ASTM C33-03 for FM for fine aggregate, which recommended range for FM is 2.3 to 3.1._x000D_ Four series of mixes were casting , each series consist of two mixes represent normal strength and high strength SCC, each series of mixes made from fine aggregate have the same FM. Flow ability, passing ability.and segregation resistance of fresh SCC, both with normal and high strength decreases with increasing the fineness moduli. High strength SCC more effected than normal strength concrete due to increase the volume of particles. _x000D_ Great enhancement in compressive strength split tensile strength and flexural strength in both normal and high strength SCC when the FM is 2.5. Increase FM to 2.7 and 3.1 not lead to increase in strengths. The UPV values of normal and high strength SCC mixes have a good general condition. SCC mixes with FM 2.5 possess excellent general conditions.