Modeling the Physical Properties of Mortar with the Application of Expanded Vermiculite

Authors

  • Jakob Šušteršič IRMA Institute for Research in Materials and Applications, Trzin, Slovenia
  • Violeta Bokan Bosiljkov Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
  • Aljoša Šajna ZAG Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
  • Bojan Hertl ARAO - Agency for Radioactive Waste Management, Krško, Slovenia
  • Rok Ercegovič IRMA Institute for Research in Materials and Applications, Trzin, Slovenia
  • Bojana Grujić Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy/Department of Civil Engineering/University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

This paper presents a laboratory study on the physical properties of mortar incorporating expanded vermiculite. The basic cement-lime mortar matrix remained unchanged, while the proportions of vermiculite were varied at 10%, 20%, and 30%. The research results demonstrated a significant improvement in physical properties, including compressive and flexural strength, as well as the static modulus of elasticity. This study establishes relationships between these properties and examines the impact of expanded vermiculite on characteristics such as air void content, capillary suction of hardened mortar, total porosity (according to SIA 262, Appendix A), gas and air permeability, and capillary water absorption. Additionally, the water permeability of the mortar was tested, along with its internal resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, up to 200 cycles. The findings of this laboratory research contribute to filling an existing scientific gap, demonstrating that the physical properties of mortar with the addition of expanded vermiculite at 10%, 20%, and 30% are significantly improved compared to mortar without vermiculite.

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Published

2026-06-02

Issue

Vol. 58 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Articles

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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