Effect of zeolite on dewatering, mechanical properties and durability of cement mortar

The possible effect of zeolite on water transport kinetics, mechanical properties and durability of cement mortars is investigated in this paper. The high desorptivity of cement mortars results in rapid dewatering when they are applied in the freshly mixed wet state to absorbent substrates in masonry construction. This paper particularly focuses on the dewatering that takes place due to the interaction of wet mortar and brick substrate in the freshly mixed state and the properties of cement mortars that are significantly influenced as a consequence of this interaction in the hardened state. The transfer sorptivity, time to dewater, setting time, consistence, strength and water penetration depth, along with the effect of dewatering on these parameters, were investigated not only for mortar/substrate optimisation in masonry construction but also for improved mechanical properties. The results obtained show that the ability to manipulate water transport kinetics and hence reduce mix-water loss during dewatering by using zeolite – a natural pozzolanic replacement material – is a vital feature of cement mortars not only for enhanced mechanical properties and durability but also for sustainable production of these mortars in construction practice.