Fig. 2 also shows the X-ray powder diffraction pattern of as-received commercial high-purity quartz, which was selected as insoluble material. Portland cement without mineral addition, similar to ASTM type I, with 308 m2/kg Blaine fineness, chemically pure calcium hydroxide and deionized water were used in the mortar mixtures. Table 1 presents the chemical composition determined using X-ray fluorescence method and loss on ignition of the mineral admixtures and Portland cement. The fine aggregate, which was also employed in mortars, was standard quartz sand [10] with particle size ranging from 0.15 mm to 2.36 mm.