Enhancing Cementitious Materials: A Detailed Review of Bentonite’s Role in Optimizing Concrete Performance

  • Zakaria Mekhnache Civil engineering and Public Works department, Smart Structures Laboratory (SSL), Belhadj Bouchaib University Ain Temouchent, Algeria. Mining and Civil Engineering Department, Technical University of Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII,30203 Cartagena, Spain.
  • Tewfik Ali-Dahmane Ecole Supérieure en Sciences Appliquées de Tlemcen, ESSA-Tlemcen, Algeria. L.C.M Materials Chemistry Laboratory, University of Oran1 Ahmed Ben Bella, Algeria.
  • Zine-El-Abidine Kameche Civil engineering and Public Works department, Smart Structures Laboratory (SSL), Belhadj Bouchaib University Ain Temouchent, Algeria.
  • Ivan Alhama-Manteca Mining and Civil Engineering Department, Technical University of Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII,30203 Cartagena, Spain.
  • Ahmed Sofiane Benosman Ecole Supérieure en Sciences Appliquées de Tlemcen, ESSA-Tlemcen, Algeria. Department of Civil Engineering, Laboratory of Materials LABMAT, ENPO Maurice Audin Oran, Algeria.
  • Sidi-Mohammed Aissa-Mamoune Civil engineering and Public Works department, Smart Structures Laboratory (SSL), Belhadj Bouchaib University Ain Temouchent, Algeria.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34118/jbms.v11i2.4114
Keywords: Cement, CO₂ emissions, Bentonite, environmental sustainability, Pozzolanic activity

Abstract

Cement manufacturing significantly impacts global CO₂ emissions, contributing around 8% due to its high energy demand and the calcination process in clinker production. To reduce this environmental impact, the industry is exploring sustainable alternatives by integrating supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), which enhance cement properties and lower its carbon footprint, aligning with sustainable construction goals. One such material is bentonite, a naturally occurring clay with high plasticity and excellent water retention properties. When added to cement mixtures, bentonite improves essential properties like decreasing permeability, enhancing workability, and boosting chemical resistance. Its pozzolanic activity aids in long-term strength development, making it valuable for standard and specialized applications, including geotechnical engineering and waste containment. Bentonite supports environmental sustainability by reducing cement demand thus lowering CO₂ emissions and by increasing durability, which extends the lifespan of structures and cuts down on maintenance costs. This discussion will explore the various environmental and mechanical benefits of bentonite as a sustainable additive in cementitious systems and highlight studies that have demonstrated its effectiveness in promoting more eco-friendly construction practices.

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Published
2024-12-31
How to Cite
Mekhnache , Z., Ali-Dahmane, T., Kameche , Z.-E.-A., Alhama-Manteca, I., Benosman, A. S., & Aissa-Mamoune , S.-M. (2024). Enhancing Cementitious Materials: A Detailed Review of Bentonite’s Role in Optimizing Concrete Performance. Journal of Building Materials and Structures, 11(2), 107-114. https://doi.org/10.34118/jbms.v11i2.4114
Issue
Vol 11 No 2 (2024)
Section
Original Articles

Copyright (c) 2025 Zakaria Mekhnache , Tewfik Ali-Dahmane, Zine-El-Abidine Kameche , Ivan Alhama-Manteca, Ahmed Sofiane Benosman, Sidi-Mohammed Aissa-Mamoune

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