Proposed Experimental Evaluation of UAE Gabbro, Dolomite, and Limestone Powders as Partial Cement Replacements in Mortar

Reducing cement consumption through the use of locally available mineral materials can contribute to more sustainable construction. Although gabbro, dolomite, and limestone are widely available in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), limited research has directly compared their performance as partial cement replacements in mortar under identical mixture and testing conditions. This proposed preliminary study aims to evaluate UAE-sourced gabbro, dolomite, and limestone powders as partial replacements for Ordinary Portland Cement. Each powder will separately replace 5% and 10% of the cement by mass, together with a 0% control mixture. The sand content and water-to-binder ratio will be maintained consistently across all mixtures to provide a uniform basis for comparison. The experimental program will include mortar preparation, specimen casting, water curing, bulk-density determination, water-absorption testing, and 28-day compressive-strength testing using a Universal Testing Machine. Three replicate specimens will be tested for each mixture, and mean values will be reported. Bulk density will be determined from the dry mass and volume of each specimen, while water absorption will be calculated using the oven-dry and saturated masses. The effects of mineral type and replacement level will be assessed by comparing the bulk density, water absorption, and compressive strength of each modified mixture with the control. Percentage differences relative to the control will also be calculated. The investigation will identify the mineral powder and replacement level that provide the most favorable balance between physical and mechanical performance. The study is intended to establish a preliminary experimental basis for utilizing indigenous UAE mineral resources in lower-cement mortar and to support subsequent research incorporating larger sample sizes, durability testing, and detailed material characterization.