Investigation on strenght and durability properties of concrete containing zeolite and metakaolin

It is well known that durability of concrete is as important as strength. Deterioration of concrete cannot be attributed to only one factor. Mineral additives can provide a denser body by improving the internal structure of concrete. By doing so, the strength and durability properties of concrete can be substantially improved. In this study, the effects of zeolite and metakaolin on the strength and durability properties of concrete were investigated. For this purpose, the compressive and bending strengths; abrasion, freeze-thaw, and elevated temperature resistance; rapid chloride permeability and sorptivity coefficients were determinated on concretes containing different zeolite and metakaolin replacement ratios. In the experimental program, the total cementious material contents for the concrete mixes were chosen as 300 kg/m3 and 400 kg/m3 with water to cement ratio of 0.60. Zeolite and metakaolin were replaced with cement by mass at ratios of %10, %15, %20 for zeolite; %5, %10 ve %20 for metakaolin. For comparison, mixtures without mineral additives were also prepared. Consequently, the use of zeolite and metakaolin as mineral additives to the concrete is found to be beneficial especially on compressive and bending strengths, sorptivity, rapid chloride permability and freeze-thaw action. However, these minerals are not found to be beneficial on abrasion and elevated temperatures. It can be concluded that the optimum replacement ratios for zeolite and metakaolin are %10 and 20%, respectively.