Influence of thermal activation of zeolite on the properties of concrete

Review Article

Authors

  • René Antonio Puig-Martínez Department of Construction and Roads, School of Civil Engineering, “José Antonio Echeverría” Technological University of Havana. Havana, Cuba. ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9025-4423
  • Ivette Freire-Valverde Construction and Assembly Company of Mariel. Artemisa, Cuba ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3428-7391
  • Sheila Monteserín-Pérez Department of Construction and Roads, School of Civil Engineering, “José Antonio Echeverría” Technological University of Havana. Havana, Cuba. ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9297-0115
  • Giovany Alemán-Carmenate Department of Construction and Roads, School of Civil Engineering, “José Antonio Echeverría” Technological University of Havana. Havana, Cuba. ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6177-2975
  • José Carlos Pérez-Brown Department of Construction and Roads, School of Civil Engineering, “José Antonio Echeverría” Technological University of Havana. Havana, Cuba. ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8673-3696

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33936/riemat.v11i2.7729

Keywords:

zeolite, portland cement, concrete, thermal activation

Abstract

In a previously published article in this same scientific journal, the results obtained from the thermal activation of zeolite from the Castilla La Pita deposit in Havana Province, Cuba, were presented. At a temperature of 200°C and a calcination time of 2 hours, the cement resistance index increased to 83.8%. In this article, as a continuation of the same research, the results obtained from the partial replacement of portland cement with this activated zeolite are presented, comparing it with non-activated zeolite as a control. The independent variables of the research are non-activated zeolite and thermally activated zeolite; and the percentage of cement replacement, in proportions of 20% and 25%, are selected. The dependent variables of the experiment are compressive strength, effective porosity, and sorptivity. It is demonstrated that replacing Portland cement with activated zeolite by 20% increases the average compressive strength by 13%, reduces sorptivity by 23%, and maintains effective porosity values. These results demonstrate the potential of thermally activated zeolite in improving concrete properties.

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References

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Published

2026-07-01

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2026): July - December

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 René Antonio Puig-Martínez, Ivette Freire Valverde, Sheila Monteserín Pérez, Giovany Alemán-Carmenate, José Carlos Pérez-Brown

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