Análisis de las propiedades mecánicas y de filtración del hormigón poroso al modificar la relación agua/cemento

Abstract

Technological advances motivate people to look for innovative solutions to face the problems affecting their communities. In this context, porous concrete emerges as an alternative to solve the difficulties generated by water accumulation on roadways. Healthiness (pest generation, water contamination, respiratory diseases) and esthetic issues (pavement structure damage) are generated when traditional drainage mechanisms are blocked. These problems demand significant investments and lack the advantages of porous concrete. For the reasons mentioned above, construction strategies are required to take advantage of the benefits of this material. However, it is impossible to use it adequately due to its limited research in Ecuador. One of the fundamental properties of this product is the water/cement ratio (w/c), which generates variations in its hardened state. This paper tries to determine the incidence of the w/c ratio on the mechanical and hydraulic characteristics of porous concrete dosed using the methodology described in the ACI 522 R-10 report. After the laboratory tests and analysis of the results obtained, it is concluded that high w/c values favor the growth of concrete strength due to the increase in the cylinder density, while porosity and low paste content are related to high infiltration rates; thus, the w/c ratio of 0.42 is a reference to balance these characteristics.