The performance of cement mortar can be improved with additives based on waste by-products. Synthetic zeolite polymer composites (referred as SZPC) produced from the combination of solid waste ashes with a selective acrylic compound was used as a cement mortar additive. The effect of SZPC as an additive on hydration reaction of ordinary Portland cement (referred as OPC) at different amounts of SZPC, from 1-4% of OPC weight, as well as microstructure and mechanical behavior of the cement mortar are determined. The results from the hydration reaction rate test showed that the optimum amount of SZPC as the additive was 2% of OPC weight. Compressive strength and flexural strength of the cement mortar after 1, 7, 14 and 28 days of curing increased, with the largestincreases at the early stage. Additions of SZPC, synthesized by a waste by-product, improved mechanical behavior of cement mortars supporting sustainable development and the circular economy.

Two different pore modifiers (PM), artificial pozzolan (AP) and modified aluminum salt (MA), were introduced into the composition of a High Performance Cement Mortar (HPCM). The chemical compositions of raw materials, ordinary Portland cement (OPC), sea sand, AP, and MA were identified by X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The hydration kinetics resulting from each PM added to the HPCM was investigated by the relevance of hydration temperature. The mechanical properties such as compressive strength, dynamic modulus of rupture, and dynamic modulus of elasticity were measured as well as water absorption and density. Additionally, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) were used to reveal the beneficial effects of appropriate PM through the microstructure, pore size distribution and specific surface area. Experimental results showed that the PM increased the hydration temperature, resulting in the generation of stress at early stages throughout the HPCM structure. This stress caused the formation of micropores, which increased water absorption, decreased density, and enhanced the structural integrity