Influence of Perlite Fines in Concretes

Abstract

Perlite is a volcanic rockused in multiple industries. In San Antonio de losCobres (Salta-Argentina) there are perlite extraction quarries, the rock is subjected to a mechanical process that generate ore waste called "perlite fines" (PF).

This research presents the analysis of concrete with the incorporation of PF as a mineral addition to the cement content and as a cement replacement, proposing dosages in order to check whether perlite can be considered as an active addition or simply as a material that modifies certain properties of concrete. In the fresh state, appearance, consistency and setting time were evaluated, and in the hardened state, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, absorption and ultrasonic pulse velocity were measured.

The results obtained with the incorporation of PF up to 10 percent replacement of cement show that it is possible to use this material as an active addition.