Effect of Zinc Ion in Water on Properties of Ordinary Portland cement Concrete

Abstract

The study is aimed at investigating the effect of presence of Zinc in water on setting times and compressive strength of cement concrete. In the present study, the effect of Zinc (Zn) on setting time and compressive strength of cement is assessed under laboratory conditions. The research program included tests of setting times and Mechanical strengths up to 28 days. In this research, the cement concrete cubes were cast with deionized water and deionized water containing the Zinc ions at various concentrations. The concentrations of Zinc (Zn) tested for different samples are 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 mg/L. The experimental results show that the presence of Zinc in deionized water accelerates both initial and final setting times up to 2000 mg/L. Zinc in deionized water up to 2000 mg/L there is a nominal change in compressive strength at early age (3-day). Beyond 2000 mg/L there is a significant change in the compressive strength at early ages as well as 28-day. Comparisons of the Zinc with those of control mix levels reveal that the presence of Zinc increases the compressive strength. The rate of increase in compressive strength is with increase in concentration of Zinc.