Construction and Building Materials 113 (2016) 964–969

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Construction and Building Materials

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/conbuildmat

Research into the properties of concrete modified with natural zeolite

addition
Dzigita Nagrockiene a,⇑, Giedrius Girskas b
a
Department of Building Materials, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
b
Research Institute of Buildings Materials and Products, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio 11, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania

h i g h l i g h t s

Zeolites are among the most promising of concrete components in the development of new building materials.

Replacement of cement with natural can be increased concrete density, compressive strength, freeze-thaw resistance.

Natural zeolite can be used for modification of cementitious systems.

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Concrete mixture used for the tests consisted of cement CEM I 42.5 R, natural zeolite (clinoptilolite), 0/4
Received 19 January 2016 fr. sand as fine aggregate, and 4/16 fr. gravel as coarse aggregate. Active components of the zeolite were
Received in revised form 10 March 2016 determined by means of X-ray diffraction analysis, particle form (plate-shaped) and size (11.82 lm) were
Accepted 23 March 2016
determined by means of SEM. 5 batches of specimens were made with zeolite content ranging from 0 to
10% (the binding material was substituted with natural zeolite). The following parameters of modified
concrete were tested: compressive strength, water absorption, density, ultrasonic pulse velocity, porosity
Keywords:
(open and closed), predicted freeze-thaw resistance. Substitution of up to 10% of cement with natural
Natural zeolite
Concrete
zeolite increases the compressive strength of concrete by 15%, reduces water absorption 2.3 times,
Compressive strength increases density and ultrasonic pulse velocity. Substitution of up to 10% of cement with natural zeolite
Porosity increases closed porosity and subsequently improved the freeze-thaw resistance of concrete. The pre-
Freeze-thaw resistance dicted freeze-thaw resistance calculations revealed 3.3 times higher resistance of concrete modified with
up to 10% of natural zeolite.
Ó 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
The term Zeolite (meaning boiling stone from Greek zeo (to boil)
and lithos (stone) was coined by the Swedish mineral researcher
Alex Fredrik Cronstedt in 1756. Since then zeolites were classified
as a separate class of minerals. The first attempts to synthesize
zeolite by imitating natural geological conditions that enabled
the formation of zeolites were made by Saint Claire de Ville in
1862. He continued the experiments until 1948, when M.R. Barrer
announced that he had succeeded in obtaining a synthesized zeo-
lite equivalent to the natural one.
Zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicates with open 3D frame-
work structures built of (Al,Si)O4 tetrahedra and are classified
according to SiO2:Al2O3 ratio. The advantageous properties of
⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: dzigita.nagrockiene@vgtu.lt (D. Nagrockiene), giedrius.
girskas@vgtu.lt (G. Girskas).
zeolites are: regular structure, large inner specific surface area
(approx. 600–800 m2/g), uniform size pores, good thermal stability
[1]. Aluminosilicate framework topology is the sole criterion that
enables to identify the structure of zeolites. In theory there may
be many framework structures, although only 32 have been
identified yet. Crystal structures of clinoptilolite of Fig. 1 [2].
Zeolites are found in nature, however, not all zeolites can be
synthesized and not all synthesized zeolites have natural
equivalents.
Research have shown that zeolites have properties of molecular
sieves, high absorption capacity at low pressures and low relation-
ship with temperature in the range of 10–150 °C [3].
The specific structure of zeolites make them beneficial in many
applications. They are used to adsorb different substances from gas
mixtures and solutions; they are used as molecular sieves because
they let through only molecules of certain size; cation exchange
properties of zeolites enable to replace cations with weak bonds
by other cations on the surfaces of internal cavities and channels;

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.03.133
0950-0618/Ó 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
 D. Nagrockiene, G. Girskas / Construction and Building Materials 113 (2016) 964–969
Fig. 1. Crystal structure of clinoptilolite [2].
the catalytic properties in certain reactions reduce the activation
energy of molecules in the pores of crystal cells. Zeolites are envi-
ronmentally clean, inert and non-toxic material suitable for many
industrial, agricultural, household, and environmental applications
[4,5].
There are many hypotheses explaining the adsorption proper-
ties of zeolites. R. Barrer claims that molecules of adsorbed sub-
stances dissipate in the cavities and channels of dehydrated
zeolites, retain their mobility and produce incorporated solutions.
Three-dimensional cells of thermally resistant zeolites adsorb the
gas volume equivalent to water molecules. Dehydrated zeolites
have adsorbing cavities where gas or liquid molecules are
adsorbed. Zeolites can adsorb not only water, but also alcohol, ben-
zene, chloroform, carbon disulfide. Metal zeolite cations are highly
migrant and can participate in ion exchange reactions [6].
In zeolits zeolitic water is removed gradually and reversibly,
without changing its structure. Zeolites have a well-organized
structure of internal pores. Adsorption processes on their surfaces
take place along reversible isotherms. Material adsorption and des-
orption isotherms coincide. Zeolites have strong adsorption capac-
ity due to the pores, channels and voids. Molecules and cations of
zeolitic water are distributed along the channels of zeolite frame-
work. Zeolites cannot adsorb molecules (0.3–1.0 nm) larger than
their pores and channels. Dehydrated zeolites are good molecular
sieves. The internal surface of channels and voids inside the zeolite
framework can adsorb molecules selectively. The diffusing mole-
cules correspond to the diameter of the channel. Some molecules
can, while others cannot pass the channel. The adsorption and
selection depends on the correspondence of molecule size and
form with those of the channels inside the zeolite framework; zeo-
lites also separate molecules based on their polarity [5–8].
Both, natural zeolites, which are available in 50 types (clinop-
tilolite, mordenite, phillipsite, erionite, chabazite et al.), and spe-
cially synthesized zeolites (A, X, Y, L, ZSM-5 et al.) [9], are widely
applied.
Construction materials with zeolites are developed in the fol-
lowing directions: binding materials, concretes, non-autoclaved
silicate products [10]. Synthetic zeolites can be used as adsorbents
or traditional water softening agents, detergents [11,12].
Zeolites are rich in active SiO2 and Al2O3. Silica dioxide and ash,
like other pozzolanic materials, can improve concrete strength by
means of Ca(OH)2 reaction with pozzolans. On the one hand, zeo-
lites, like other pozzolanic materials, better than cement improve
the strength of concrete stronger. On the other hand, zeolites pro-
965
mote the formation of side products, such as alkali and other com-
plex compounds. Researchers have found that zeolites of different
modifications act in concrete as pozzolanic additive [13].
Zeolites are one of the most prospective components of con-
crete in the development of new construction materials, such as
high-performance concretes, specially designed concretes to
absorb heavy metals or suppress radiation. The addition of zeolites
enable to produce lighter structural elements without deteriorat-
ing the strength properties. Zeolites are widely used in finishing
materials to achieve evener surfaces and better drying of the mor-
tar. Zeolite additives accelerate cement hydration process, change
physical and mechanical properties of cement [14].
According to the studies by Yun-Sheng S., Chen-Lin H., the addi-
tion of up to 15% zeolite in the cement mixture improves the early
compressive strength. Zeolite additives also shorten the hydration
time [15].
Turkish researchers made tests with concrete specimens con-
taining 5, 10, 20 and 40% of zeolite. Compressive strength was
measured after 1, 2, 7 and 28 days of curing. The results showed
that after 24 h of curing concrete specimens with zeolite additive
had lower compressive strength compared with the control speci-
men. The same trend was observed after 2 and 7 days of curing.
After 28 days of curing the compressive strength of specimens con-
taining 5% of zeolite increased 6.8% compared with the control
specimens; in other specimens the compressive strength increased
as follows: 15.9% in specimens containing 10% of zeolite, 22.3% in
specimens containing 20% of zeolite, 4.1% in specimens containing
40% of zeolite [16].
F. Canpolat with colleagues researched into concrete containing
zeolite used as a mineral additive. Cement was substituted with
zeolite added at 5–35%. They also tested the strength properties
of concrete containing zeolite and fly ash additives. The fly ash
was added at 5% by cement weight. The compressive strength
was measured after 2, 7, 28 and 90 days. According to the test
results the highest compressive strength was achieved after
28 days in specimens containing 20% of zeolite. In the case of add-
ing zeolite and fly ash, the optimal limits were 10–25% of zeolite
and 5% of fly ash [17].
Researchers B. Ahmadi and M. Shekarchi studied the effect of
zeolite on mechanical properties and durability of concrete com-
pared to other cement additives. Experimental testing proved good
pozzolanic activity of zeolite, although zeolite reacted with port-
landite in a different way than SiO2 microparticles. Besides, the
researchers found that compressive strength, water absorption,
oxygen and chloride permeability, and electric resistance in con-
crete modified with different content of zeolite improved, were
similar or event better compared to concrete containing SiO2
microparticles [18].
Researchers have tested zeolite additives in cement systems.
The best results of compressive strength (increase by 10%) were
found in specimens where 5% of portland cement was substituted
with zeolite [19].
Porosity is a very important parameter of concrete in the eval-
uation of its durability. Capillary porosity and entrained air content
have the highest effect on freeze-thaw resistance of concrete.
These parameters can be controlled in concrete production
process.
The porosity system in hardened cement paste is made of four
types of pores: gel pores, capillary pores 5–5000 lm, macro pores
produced by entrained air and macro pores resulting insufficient
compaction. Gel pores have no negative effect on the strength of
concrete. Capillary pores and macro pores reduce the strength of
concrete [20].
It is known that low w/c ratio and good setting conditions are
important factors in the manufacturing of freeze-thaw resistant
products [21–24].
966 D. Nagrockiene, G. Girskas / Construction and Building Materials 113 (2016) 964–969

Researchers advise to use pozzolanic additives in order to Table 2

reduce the corrosion of hardened cement paste [25,26]. According Chemical and mineral properties of the cement and natural zeolite.

to N. Asrara, amorphous silica dioxide improves corrosion resis- SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO K2O SO3 Na2O H2O MgO Other
tance and increases the strength of concrete by reducing the poros- Chemical composition of cement, %
ity of the structure through the reaction with calcium hydroxide 20.76 6.12 3.37 63.50 1.00 0.8 0.3 – – 4.45
and subsequent formation of CSH crystals. After the reaction, Ca Chemical composition of natural zeolite, %
(OH)2 content reduces and C-S-H content increases, thus providing 71.50 13.10 0.9 2.10 2.45 – 0.8 8.08 1.07 –
strength and durability of concrete [27].

Table 3
2. Materials and research methods Physical properties of gravel and sand.

Portland cement of type CEM I 42.5 R produced by AB ‘‘Akmenės Aggregate Particle density, Bulk density, Water
kg/m3 kg/m3 absorption,%
cementas” complying with LST EN 197–1:2001 requirements was
used as the binding material. Portland cement characteristics are Sand 0/4 2588 1543 1.29
Gravel 4/16 2339 1581 0.58
presented in Table 1. Chemical compositions of the cement and
natural zeolite are presented in Table 2. 0/4 fraction sand
complying with LST EN 12620:2003 requirements was used as Pu
KF ¼ ð1Þ
the fine aggregate. 4/16 fraction gravel complying with LST EN 0:09 Pa
12620:2003 requirements was used as the coarse aggregate. Phys-
ical characteristics of the sand and gravel are presented in Table 3. where: Pu is closed porosity of concrete; Pa is open porosity of
Clean potable water complying with standard EN 1008:2003, concrete.
i.e. without any impurities that would retard the normal setting Knowing the value of frost resistance coefficient KF, the freeze-
of concrete, was used to prepare the water-cement mix. Polycar- thaw resistance of the conglomerate can be predicted according to
boxylic resin-based superplasticizer was used for making the spec- the function of conglomerate freeze-thaw resistance and frost
imens. The characteristics of the plasticizer were as follows: resin resistance coefficient KF [28].
concentration in the solution 36.1%, pH value 5.05; electric conduc- Zeolite structure was analyzed with the scanning electronic
tivity 1.480 mS/cm, solution density 1040 kg/m3. The recom- microscope SEM JOEL JSM-7600F with the resolution of 15 nm
mended content of the superplasticizer is 0.2–2.5%. Natural and magnification from 25 to 1,000,000 times; 10.0 kV voltage
zeolite additive (clinoptilolite) was used to produce the researched was used for the tests and the surface of the specimens was cov-
concrete. 5 batches of concrete specimens were mechanically ered with gold.
mixed under laboratory conditions for the research. The batches The X-ray tests were done with diffraction meter DRON-7 with
differed by zeolite content in concrete ranging from 0% to 10%. Cu anti-cathode and Ni filter, anode voltage 30 kV, anode current
Table 4 illustrates compositions of concrete mixtures to produce 12 mA, diffraction angle 0.02°; ICDD database was used for the
1 m3 of concrete. Concrete mixes were made in the laboratory analysis of diffraction peaks.
while forming the specimens in 100  100  100 mm metal forms.
After 24 h the specimens were taken out from the forms and kept 3. Results and analysis
in water of 20 ± 2 °C for 28 days. After 7, 28 days and 6 months of
curing in water the compressive strength of concrete specimens X-ray diffraction analysis, is widely used zeolites and other
was tested according to LST EN 12390-3:2009, density according crystalline structure of the material, that is y. chemical compounds
to EN 12390-7:2009, ultrasonic pulse velocity according to EN and derivatives thereof identify and quantitative analysis of com-
12504-4:2004. The total water absorption of the specimens was pounds, single crystal and polycrystalline materials crystal lattice
measured after soaking them in water for 96 h. The specimens structure and its imperfections [29].
were immersed into potable water of (20 ± 5) °C temperature and As an additive to modify the concrete mix has been used natural
kept until constant mass was reached. The specimens must be zeolite (Ca(Si7Al2)6H2O), the main active component – clinoptilo-
placed with at least 15 mm spaces between them and at least lite (Fig. 2). After the zeolite the X-ray analysis was found to be
20 mm water above them. The constant mass is obtained when mainly dominated by clinoptilolite (0.897, 0.796, 0.678, 0.526,
the difference between two weightings every 24 h is less than 0.512, 0.466, 0.397, 0.342, 0.317, 0.312, 0.298, 0.279, 0.274,
0.1%. Prior to the weighting the specimens are dried with a moist- 0.253 nm), and quartz (0.426, 0.335, 0.245, 0.243, 0.228, 0.213,
ened and wrung cloth to remove the excessive water. 0.182 nm). Natural zeolite chemical composition: SiO2 – 71.5%,
Frost resistance of concrete depends both on open porosity (the Al2O3 – 13.1%, CaO – 2.1%, MgO – 1.07%, Fe2O3 – 0.9%, TiO2 –
amount of capillary pores), and on closed porosity (air content in 0.2%, H2O – 8.08%.
the mixture), and quantitatively can be determined by the frost SEM tests of natural zeolite (Fig. 3) revealed particles of the nat-
resistance factor KF, which is derived from the equation [28]: ural zeolite are plate-shaped and overlapping. Zeolite particle size

Table 1
Physical-mechanical properties of the cement ant natural zeolite.

Properties Portland cement CEM I 42.5 R Properties Natural zeolite

Specific surface, cm2/g 3700 Surface density 1750 kg/m3
Particle density, kg/m3 3200 Relative weight 2420 kg/m3
Bulk density, kg/m3 1200 Compressive strength 33.0 MPa
Standard consistency paste, % 25.4 Porosity 28%
Initial setting time, min 140 Void ratio 0.4 nm (4 Å)
Final setting time, min 190 Mohs hardness 2.0
Compressive strength after 7 days, MPa 28.9
Compressive strength after 28 days, MPa 54.6
 D. Nagrockiene, G. Girskas / Construction and Building Materials 113 (2016) 964–969 967

Table 4
Concrete mix 1 m3 compositions.

Zeolite,% Zeolite, kg Cement, kg Sand, kg Gravel, kg Water, kg Plasticizer, kg W/C Consistence class
0 0 371 1158 811 130 1.855 0.45 S1
2.5 9.3 361.7 1158 811 130 1.855 0.45 S1
5.0 18.6 352.5 1158 811 130 1.855 0.45 S1
7.5 27.9 343.2 1158 811 130 1.855 0.45 S1
10.0 37.1 333.9 1158 811 130 1.855 0.45 S1

3000
Q 100
Relative intensity, a.u.

2500 90

Volume of particulates, %
K
2000 K 80
Cement CEM I 42.5R
70
Natural zeolite
1500 K 60
50
1000 K 40
KK K KQ K
K Q Q Q 30
500 Q
20
0 10
4 9 14 19 24 29 34 39 44 49 54 59 0
Diffractions angle 2 θ, degress 0.01 0.1 1 10 100
Diameter, μm
(a)
(b)
Fig. 2. Cement and natural zeolite properties: a) natural zeolite radiography: K – clinoptilolite; Q – quartz; b) cement and natural zeolite particles distribution by size.

Fig. 3. Natural zeolite SEM images: a) magnification 20,000 times; b) magnification 10,000 times; c) magnification 5000 times.

2410 Compressive strength after 7 days of curing, MPa

2404 Compressive strength after 28 days of curing, MPa
2405
2399 82
2400 79.4
Compressive strength, MPa

80
Density, kg/m 3

2395 2393 77.2 78.1 77.4

78
75.1 75.5
2390 76
2385
2385 74
2380 71.1 72.2
72
2380 70.1
70
2375 68 67.3
2370 66
2365 64
0 2.5 5.0 7.5 10.0 62
Additive content, % 60
0 2.5 5.0 7.5 10.0

Fig. 4. Relationship between concrete density and natural zeolite content. Additive content, %

Fig. 5. Relationship between compressive strength after 7 and 28 days of curing

and natural zeolite content.
was difficult to determine from SEM images, therefore additional
tests with laser granulometer were done. The determined average
particle size was 11.82 lm. increases with additive content. The differences in concrete densi-
The tests of modified concrete densities (Fig. 4) revealed that ties were insignificant. The biggest difference was 24 kg/m3, i.e.
the highest density 2404 kg/m3 was in the batch containing 10% 1.01%.
of zeolite additive, and the lowest density 2380 kg/m3 was in the Fig. 5 illustrates the relationship between compressive strength
batch without zeolite additive. The tests proved that density of concrete after 7 and 28 days of curing and natural zeolite con-
968 D. Nagrockiene, G. Girskas / Construction and Building Materials 113 (2016) 964–969

tent. According to the test results, after 7 days the compressive 3.5
3.21 3.11 3.09
strength of control batch specimens was 67.3 MPa. By substituting 3

2.5% of the binding material with natural zeolite the compressive
strength increased 3.8 MPa, i.e. 5.6%. With the addition of 5% of
zeolite the compressive strength increased by 1.1 MPa, i.e. 7.3%
in total compared with the control specimen. The increase of zeo-
lite content up to 7.5 and 10% resulted in the increase in compres-
sive strength up to 77.2 and 77.4 MPa respectively. After Po
28 days of curing the compressive strength of control specimens
was 70.1 MPa. By substituting 2.5% of the binding material with
natural zeolite compressive strength increased 5.1 MPa, i.e. 7.1%.
With the addition of 5% of zeolite the compressive strength
increased up to 75.5 MPa. With the addition of 10% of zeolite the
compressive strength increased up to 79.4 MPa, i.e. 13.3%. The
compressive strength tests showed that the substitution of up
to10% of natural cement with zeolite additive results in the
increase of compressive strength up to 13.3% after 7 days of curing
and up to 15.0% after 28 days of curing. The increase of compres-
sive strength in modified concretes can be related with active
SiO2 and Al2O3 present in zeolite additives. It should be noted that
Si/Al ratio in natural zeolites is 5.23.
According to D. Vaičiukynienė, G. Skripkiu  nas and co-authors,
zeolite has a positive effect on the compressive strength of hard-
ened cement paste due to the pozzolanic activity of zeolite and
development of hydro-aluminate phases in hardened cement paste
[30].
The results of ultrasonic pulse velocity tests are in proportion to
compressive strength test results because with the decrease in
ultrasonic pulse velocity the wave path length increases. With
higher number of cracks in concrete the wave path length
increases, whereas the ultrasonic pulse velocity diminishes. That
means that micro cracks in concrete structure prevent the propa-
gation of ultrasonic pulse, which propagates in concrete due to
diffraction of ultrasonic waves around the micro crack. Fig. 6 illus-
trates the relationship between ultrasonic pulse velocity and natu-
ral zeolite content in concrete. According to the tests, after 7 days
of curing the highest ultrasonic pulse velocity was 4730 m/s in
specimens containing 10% of zeolite additive. The lowest value
4609 m/s was obtained in control specimens without the additive.
After 7 days of curing ultrasonic pulse velocity in specimens con-
taining zeolite additive increased 2.63%. After 28 days of curing
ultrasonic pulse velocity in specimens containing 10% of zeolite
additive was 4930 m/s. The lowest value 4734 m/s was obtained
in control specimens without the additive. In specimens containing
zeolite additive ultrasonic pulse velocity increased 4.11% after
28 days of curing. According to the tests, ultrasonic pulse velocity
increases with higher content of zeolite in concrete.
Water absorption of the specimens was tested (Fig. 7) after 96 h
of soaking in water. The highest water absorption value 3.21% was
recorded in control specimens and the lowest value 1.38% was
Water absorption, %
2.5
2
1.46 1.38
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 2.5 % 5.0 % 7.5 % 10.0%
Additive content
Fig. 7. Relationship between water absorption and natural zeolite content.
recorded in specimens containing 10% of zeolite additive. Accord-
ing to researchers, amorphous silica dioxide increases the strength
of concrete due to reduced porosity (water absorption) [27].
Open and closed porosity was tested in modified concrete spec-
imens. The test results are presented in Fig. 8. The total porosity of
control specimens was 4.45%. The addition of natural zeolite at
2.5% increases the total porosity up to 13.37% with up to 7.42%
increase of open porosity and up to 5.95% increase of closed poros-
ity. Compared to control specimens, open porosity increases more
than twice and closed porosity increases more than 7 times. With
up to 5% of natural zeolite the closed porosity increases up to 8.7
times, whereas the increase in open porosity is insignificant com-
pared to the specimens containing 2.5% of natural zeolite. It should
be noted that the highest porosity of concrete – 14.44% – is
obtained by substituting 5% of cement with natural zeolite. The
increase of zeolite content up to 7.5% results in the drop of open
porosity more than twice compared to the specimens containing
5% of zeolite (7.38 and 3.51% respectively), however closed poros-
ity increases up to 8.32%. In specimens containing 10% of zeolite
the closed porosity increases and the open porosity decreases, like
in the case of 7.5% of zeolite: open porosity is 3.33% and closed
porosity is 9.65%.
The predicted resistance to cyclic freezing and thawing was
determined according to durability factor. The relationship
between the predicted freeze-thaw resistance and the content of
natural zeolite is presented in Fig. 9. As it is seen in Figs. 8 and 9,
the porosity of concrete is related to freeze-thaw resistance (dura-
bility) of concrete. Closed pores are the key factor that increases
the durability of concrete. During freezing ice is formed in capillary
pores. The volume of ice increases 9% thus building up the hydrau-
lic pressure of unfrozen water in the pores and internal tension in
the binder’s matrix. Through repeated freezing more water gets
into the pores of the conglomerate and keeps destroying the con-
glomerate structure until the total collapse.

Ultrasonic pulse velocity after 7 days of curing, m/s Open porosity Closed porosity
16
Ultrasonic pulse velocity after 28 days of curing, m/s
Ultrasonic pulse velocity, m/s

5000 14
4920 4930
4900 4865 12
Porosity, %

4801
4800 10
4734 4716 4719 4730
4700 4671 8
4609 6
4600
4
4500
2
4400
0% 2.5 % 5% 7.5 % 10.0 % 0
Additive content 0 2.5 5.0 7.5 10.0
Additive content
Fig. 6. Relationship between ultrasonic pulse velocity after 7 and 28 days of curing
and natural zeolite content. Fig. 8. Relationship between open and closed porosity and natural zeolite content.
 D. Nagrockiene, G. Girskas / Construction and Building Materials 113 (2016) 964–969
Predicted freeze-thaw resistance by
800
700
632
600 546
519
500
cycles
400
300
219
200
100
0 1773–1783.
0 2.5 % 5.0 % 7.5 %
Additive content
Fig. 9. Relationship between cyclic freezing and thawing and natural zeolite
content.
Calculations of predicted freeze-thaw resistance showed that
the highest freeze-thaw resistance value (the biggest number of
survived cycles) was obtained in specimens containing 10% of zeo-
lite and the lowest value was obtained in control specimens (0%
zeolite), i.e. 728 and 219 cycles respectively.
The tests results described in this paper showed that part of the
cement in concrete mixture can be substituted with natural zeo-
lite. Zeolite increases the density of concrete, ultrasonic pulse
velocity, and compressive strength. Modified concretes have lower
water absorption and higher closed porosity, which both improve
the freeze-thaw resistance of concrete, a very important property
for concrete applications.
4. Conclusions
1. SEM analysis of natural zeolite showed that zeolite particles are
plate-shaped in the average size of 11.82 lm.
2. The compressive strength tests showed that in specimens con-
taining 10% of zeolite additive the compressive strength
increases up to 13.3% and up to 15.0% after 28 days of curing.
3. The substitution of 10% of cement with natural zeolite increases
the closed porosity and freeze-thaw resistance of concrete. The
durability of specimens containing up to 10% of natural zeolite
increased more than 3.3 times, compared to the control
composition.
4. Concretes have lower water absorption and higher closed
porosity, which both improve the freeze-thaw resistance of
concrete, a very important property for concrete applications.
5. Modification of concrete with natural zeolite additives
improves the durability of concrete that may be successfully
used in various structures.
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Dzigita Nagrockiene Prof. at the Department of Building Materials, Vilnius Ged-
iminas Technical University (VGTU). PhD (2003). Research interests: concrete
durability, concretes with superplasticizers, frost resistance of concrete, materials
science, concrete technology.
Giedrius Girskas Research at the Research Institute of Building Materials and
Products, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU), PhD (2015). Research
interests: concrete durability, frost resistance of concrete, concrete with additives,
synthetic zeolites in concrete.