Effect of blended cements produced with natural zeolite and industrial by-products on alkali-silica reaction and sulfate resistance of concrete

In this study, influence of blended cements produced with different types of pozzolans on alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and sulfate resistance of concrete was investigated. For this reason, natural zeolite (clinoptilolite), fly ash (FA), and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) were used in different types of blended cement production. According to the mechanical performance of these blended cements, ASR and sulfate resistance experiments were carried out to obtain the durability performance of these cements. The length changes and microstructure investigations of the mortar specimens with different types of blended cements showed that zeolite, FA, and GBFS had reduced ASR and sulfate damages when compared with ordinary CEM I 42.5 reference specimen.

Research highlights
► Utilization of mineral additives in concrete increase the durability of concrete.
► The mechanical and physical properties of concrete improves with the usage of zeolite, fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag.
► Ettringite and ASR gel formation in the microstructure of the composite against sulfate attack was limited with the usage of zeolite, fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag.