Effect of Zeolite on the Strength and Permeability of Conventional Concrete with Different Content of Cement

Pozzolanic materials is one of the strategies to improve strength and durability of concrete. Pozzolanic reactions lead to filling the voids in the concrete and reduces porosity and permeability and thereby increase the durability and strength of concrete. Zeolite is a natural pozzolan is abundant in Iran and is easily extracted and processed. Therefore, in this study, Effect of zeolite on resistance and permeability of concrete with different grades of cement has been investigated. For this purpose, tests of strength, capillary water absorption, determination chloride ion profiles and X-ray diffraction (XRD) was conducted on specimens. In making specimens, various of cement content and different percentages of zeolite and water-cement ratio was used. The results show that addition of zeolite on concrete increased resistance and decreased permeability of specimens compared to the reference concrete. Also results of XRD and SEM images obtained from the tests show that microstructures of specimens containing zeolite, has a greater density than the zeolite without it.