Microstructure of cement paste with natural pozzolanic volcanic ash and Portland cement at different stages of curing

The use of volcanic ash as a partial substitute to Portland cement can be a viable alternative for producing sustainable and durable cementitious materials. This study investigates the effect of early and late age curing of hardened cement pastes made with volcanic ash and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Pore and microstructure studies were performed on hardened cement pastes prepared with 10% incremental substitution of volcanic ash up to 50% substitution of OPC. Densification in hardened cement pastes was attributed to formation of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H) and Calcium-Alumino-Silicate-Hydrate (C-A-S-H) gels, while the development of Magnesium-Silicate-Hydrates (M-S-H) led to decalcification of C-S-H and C-A-S-H gels which resulted in an increase in porosity of the cementitious matrix. A combination of bulk and surface characterization techniques was used to facilitate effective usage of volcanic ash as a potential substitute for Portland cement that provides a sustainable construction material, and environmentally friendly solution to volcanic ash disposal.