Concrete blocks with bitumen emulsion for foundation walls

Abstract

The walls of the first level of the building often exhibit moisture problems

as a result of exposure to rain and water absorption in the soil by the

foundation wall. Unfortunately, conventional concrete blocks, purchased

on the market and used as foundation wall, have a high coefficient

of capillary suction and a low resistance to water penetration. In this

research, concrete blocks and cylinders were produced and analyzed

experimentally. They were manufactured with washed concrete sand,

type I Portland cement, cold bitumen emulsion and a 0,40 water-tocement

(w/c) ratio by weight. Blocks and cylinders were analyzed first

without the addition of bitumen emulsion and then with the addition of

10 %, 20 %, 30 % and 40 % of bitumen emulsion by weight of the cement.

Capillary water absorption test, resistance to water penetration test and

compressive strength test were completed. A comparative analysis of

the results was performed in order to determine the optimum addition

of bitumen emulsion. It was determined that the blocks with bitumen

emulsion have better properties than conventional blocks without

additives. Furthermore, it was concluded that the blocks with cold

bitumen emulsion reduce moisture problems in the walls since these

blocks have a low coefficient of capillary suction.