Experimental Study on Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag in Concrete

Abstract

The utilization of supplementary cementitious materials is well accepted because of the several improvements possible in the concrete composites, and due to the overall economy. This report introduces studies and the properties of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). As concrete being important constituent in construction industry, improvements need to be done in concrete. Use of GGBS improves the quality of concrete. GGBS concrete is characterized by high strength, lower heat of hydration, and resistance to chemical corrosion. In recent years GGBS when replaced with cement has emerged as a major alternative to conventional concrete and has rapidly drawn the concrete industry attention due to its cement savings, energy savings, and cost savings, environmental and socio-economic benefits. The optimum GGBS replacement as cementitious material is characterized by high compressive strength, low heat of hydration, resistance to chemical attack, better workability, and good durability and cost-effective. From this study it can be concluded that, since the grain size of GGBS is less than ordinary Portland cement, its strength at early ages is less but continues to gain strength over a long period. This report includes effect of GGBS on various physical and chemical properties of concrete. Low carbon concrete (LCC) can be produced by replacing OPC with GGBS thus reducing emission of carbon dioxide by about 60% and at the same time quality of concrete is improved.