Comparative study on porosity and permeability of conventional concrete and concrete with variable proportions of natural zeolite additions

Abstract

With the use of special additives, the concrete benefits over its product life increase, both in terms of mechanical properties and durability. Zeolites are used in the field of building work for, thank to their properties, they lend to the concrete enhanced features. This paper explores the physical and mechanical properties improvements of hardened concrete and its permeability. To this aim, on the one hand a concrete of control and another with Zeolite additions between 5% and 10% have been measured out with respect to the weight of cement, while on the other Compressive strength and permeability testing have been carried out through the Mercury intrusion porosimetry test. After these tests, it was possible to obtain concrete with Zeolite proportions of 5% and 10% that showed a suitable workability. With respect to the already analyzed mechanical properties, the inclusion of Zeolites as an additive was an improvement. In that respect, the durable features related to this type of concrete were also similarly improved, being also remarkable the lack of alkali-silica reactions.