Efectos de la zeolita como material suplementario del cemento portland en la resistencia a tracción indirecta del concreto estructural

Abstract

The emission of carbon dioxide from the cement industry generates environmental issues, hence the strategy of using zeolites as supplementary cementitious materials and contributing to the fight against climate change. In this research, the physical characterization of a zeolite mineral and a type of cement, commercially available, was carried out, followed was determinate of the setting time in pastes to reach the topic that is the indirect tensile strength of concretes for structural purposes, designed for a compressive strength of 24MPa and the permeability was evaluated through the penetration of pressurized water, a factor that influences its durability. The percentages of cement substitution by zeolite were 0, 10, 15 and 20 percent in pastes such as concretes. The density, specific surface area and average particle size determined for zeolite are 2.41 grams per cubic centimeter, 563 square meters per kilogram and 5 micrometers, respectively. The cement-zeolite pastes evidenced a higher water demand to enter normal consistency, hence, a longer setting time. To ensure the workability of the zeolite concrete, a plasticizing additive was used. The indirect tensile strength at the age of 28 days in the zeolite concrete specimens was almost equal to or slightly lower than the control concrete. Water penetration was higher at all substitution percentages. The 20 percent substitution showed better effects on fresh and hardened properties.