Investigation of the durability of pumice and zeolite added high strength concrete against acid and salt effects

Presently, research on methods and materials that prolong the service life of concrete has gained significant importance. Harmful chemicals and water that adversely affect the service life of concrete can be counted as the primary factors which affect service life. Most of the researches on the strength of concrete against chemical effects of concrete under the effect of chemical substances have been concentrated on the effect of chemicals on the reinforcement, but not on the concrete it self of the concrete. This subject still has not been demystified. In this research utilization of minerals that are highly available in our country such as pumice (P) and zeolite (Z) in production of high performance concrete and effect of these minerals on strength and durability of concrete under different environmental factors were investigated.For this purpose chemical, physical, mechanical, mineralogical, molecular, electrokinetic?s, and simultaneous thermal analyses were performed on the binders. Four different types of concrete have been produced with the constituent combinations of: 0P15Z (0% pumice + 15% zeolite), 5P10Z, 10P5Z and 15P0Z. Glenium 51 super plasticizer was added to each produced concrete in 1,3% of total weight. Several fresh concrete tests have been performed on the produced concrete types and then fresh concrete was placed to 10x20 cm cylinder moulds. After keeping in the mould for 24 hours, the concrete samples have been taken out of the moulds and placed in lime saturated water bath for duration of 28 days under a temperature of 23±2°C. Next, the samples were put into 7500 mg/l MgSO4, 5%H2SO4, 5%NaCl solutions and 23±2°C lime saturated water bath and each sample had been subjected to environmental effects for 28, 56, and 90 days. After the end of these periods, on each of the concrete types particular characteristics of concrete strength and durability were investigated.In conclusion, results of analyses have shown that using binders like pumice, zeolite or both contributes high strength concrete could be produced. In all the mixture types high strength concrete classes have been obtained. The destructive effects of variable environmental conditions on the strength and durability parameters realized differently and the worst effect have come from H2SO4 solution. NaCl and MgSO4 solutions have shown their destructive effects on the concrete in later ages. It is anticipated that 0P15Z and 5P10Z concrete types could be used for very high strength concrete and 10P5Z and 15P0Z types could be used for high strength types. In addition, pumice and zeolite can be considered as an alternative to pozzolans such as fly ash, silica fume, ground granulated blast furnace slag, etc.