An Experimental Investigation for the Application of Zeolite as Concrete Ingredient

Concrete plays the key role and a large quantum of concrete is being utilized in every construction activity the history of cementing material is as old as the history of engineering construction. Some kind of cementing material was used by Egyptians, Romans, and Indians in their ancient construction. Pozzolans and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), either natural or artificial, are often used as a cement replacement or as an enhancement in concrete. There is a need of cost effective alternative and innovative green material. Study on the use of natural zeolite as supplementary cementious material (SCM) in concrete has been carried out in China and in other countries since early 1980 in this research; natural zeolite has been used as SCM to Portland cement (OPC) in concrete. The presence of silicon dioxide in natural zeolite expected to increase the concrete strength through reaction with the calcium hydroxide from the hydration of OPC.