Influence of Thermal Waters Replacing 10%, 20% and 50% of Drinking Water on the Compressive Strength of Concrete

Mostacero Alva E.; Narva Guevara S. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2026) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2026.1.1.1815

Resumen

Concrete is one of the most widely used materials in construction due to its versatility, low cost, and durability, with its compressive strength being a key factor that can be affected by the type, quantity, and quality of water used. Given the growing scarcity of fresh water, the need arises to evaluate alternative sources such as thermal waters. The partial substitution of potable water with thermal water in proportions of 10%, 20%, and 50% was analyzed to determine its influence on the compressive strength of a concrete mix designed for f'c = 210 kgf/cm2. The results showed differentiated behavior depending on the substitution proportion. Specifically, the 20% and 50% thermal water substitutions recorded higher compressive strength values across all testing periods, surpassing the control group. In contrast, the 10% substitution yielded lower strengths than the reference sample. These findings highlight that the use of thermal water in concrete production cannot be generalized without a prior analysis of its chemical composition. Therefore, it is essential to complement its use with an appropriate mix design and rigorous quality control to ensure the structural integrity of the concrete.

Instituciones: Universidad Privada del Norte