Investigating the Impact of Partial Replacement of Cement by Dolomite Powder on the Performance of Porous Concrete Pavement
摘要
Porous concrete, characterized by its permeable nature, offers a sustainable solution for urban drainage and groundwater recharge. This study examines the influence of partially substituting dolomite powder in cement for its mechanical properties and water infiltration rate of porous concrete pavements. Dolomite, a widely available mineral, presents a potential eco-friendly alternative to ordinary Portland cement. The experimental investigation involved preparing porous concrete mixes with varying percentages of dolomite powder (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% by weight of cement) with ordinary Portland cement (OPC), coarse aggregates, and water. A complete set of 72 samples was created to evaluate changes in terms of flexural strength, infiltration capacity, and compressive strength. This strategic substitution not only assesses the porous concrete’s mechanical and environmental performance but also tries to at economizing construction costs considering dolomite’s cost-effectiveness compared to ordinary Portland cement. According to our research, the compressive strength is enhanced by 4–6%. When dolomite powder is added to 10% of the weight of the cement. However, higher replacement levels (above 10%) resulted in a gradual decrease in strength, suggesting an optimal replacement threshold for maintaining structural integrity. Additionally, adding dolomite powder to porous concrete improved its infiltration rate of water marginally (about 8–9%), improving water drainage and lowering surface runoff. These results highlight the potential of dolomite to enhance concrete’s mechanical qualities while also lessening the environmental effect of cement manufacturing, opening the door to the development of more environmentally friendly urban infrastructure.