Bloques de concreto con emulsión de parafina

Abstract

The walls of the building often exhibit moisture problems as a result of exposure to rain and water absorption in the soil. Unfortunately, conventional concrete blocks purchased on the market 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, paraffin wax and a 0,40 water-to-cement ( w/c ) ratio by weight. Blocks and cylinders were analyzed first without the addition of paraffin wax and then with the addition of 10 %, 20 %, 30 % and 40 % of paraffin wax by weight of the cement. Capillary water absorption test and resistance to water penetration test were completed. A comparative analysis of the results was performed in order to determine the optimum addition of paraffin wax. It was determined that the blocks with paraffin wax have better properties than conventional blocks without additives. Furthermore, it was concluded that the blocks with paraffin wax reduce moisture problems in the walls since these blocks have a low coefficient of capillary suction