CIVIL & ARCHITECTURE DOMAIN
Published November 17, 2025 | Version v1
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The Influence of Zeolite-Blended Cement on the Strength and Durability of Recycled Aggregate Concrete: A Systematic Review

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This paper presents a systematic review of the influence of zeolite-blended cement on the strength and durability of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), focusing on its potential to improve mechanical performance and promote sustainable construction practices. The study compiles and analyses findings from recent experimental and analytical research to evaluate how zeolite, as a supplementary cementitious material, interacts with recycled aggregates to enhance concrete properties. Zeolite’s high pozzolanic reactivity contributes to the refinement of pore structure, improved hydration, and reduced permeability, leading to enhanced compressive strength, durability, and resistance to chemical attack. The review also identifies optimal zeolite replacement levels typically between 10% and 20% that yield significant improvements without compromising workability. Furthermore, it examines how zeolite mitigates the adverse effects of recycled aggregates, such as weak interfacial bonding and increased porosity. The synthesis highlights that zeolite incorporation effectively enhances long-term durability indicators, including chloride resistance, sulphate attack mitigation, and freeze–thaw stability. Despite promising outcomes, gaps remain regarding the combined optimization of mix design, curing conditions, and zeolite fineness. Overall, the review concludes that zeolite-blended cement offers a viable, eco-friendly strategy for enhancing the structural performance and sustainability of recycled aggregate concrete.

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References

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