Study of influence of Zeolite Application in Rigid pavement and Strength Prediction through Regression Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Concrete is widely employed in construction due to its cost-effectiveness and high durability. A crucial factor impacting concrete performance is the quality of cement used in its production. Incorporating Pozzolanic mineral additives like fly ash and GGBFS during concrete production can result in significant environmental and economic benefits. This addition is known to decrease the calcium hydroxide content in the cement paste, enhancing the permeability of the concrete. Zeolites are alumina silicates characterized by crystalline structures with uniform pores and cavities. They possess unique properties such as molecular sieving, ion exchange, a large surface area, and catalytic activity, making them highly promising for various industrial applications. The Pozzolanic properties of Zeolite primarily arise from their SiO2 and Al2O3 content, which react with calcium hydroxide (CaOH2) generated during cement hydration. This reaction transforms CaOH2 into Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH) gel, ultimately improving the microstructure and impermeability of the concrete. Attempts have been made to utilize zeolite concrete additives to neutralize harmful substances, especially those found in fire extinguishing materials. Although the concrete's CO2 absorption with added zeolite has not been precisely measured, zeolite demonstrates strong adsorption properties for CO2 and NOx. This study aims to investigate the impact of incorporating Natural Zeolite on the strength properties of concrete. Statistical tools like the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Python, are employed for regression analysis to propose various formulas for strength prediction. The predicted results are subsequently validated through laboratory tests on concrete blended with Zeolite.