Effects of Induction-Furnace Slag on Strength Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete

Abstract

Indiscriminate waste disposal poses a severe environmental challenge globally. Recycling of industrial wastes for concrete production is currently the utmost effective way of managing wastes for a cleaner environment and sustainable products. This study investigates the strength characteristics of self-compacting concrete (SCC) containing induction furnace slag (IFS) as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). The materials utilized include 42.5R Portland cement, induction furnace slag as an SCM ranging from 0 to 50 % by cement weight at 10 % interval, river sand, granite, water and superplasticizer. The fresh properties were tested for filling ability, passing ability and segregation resistance, the strength characteristics measured include compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength and Schmidt/rebound number. The oxide compositions and microstructural analysis of SCC were investigated using x-ray fluorescence analyser (XRF) and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), respectively. Empirical correlations were statistically analyzed using MS-Excel tool. The filling ability characteristic was determined via both the slump flow test and the T50cm slump flow time test. Moreover, the passing ability characteristic was determined using L-Box test. The segregation resistance characteristic was determined using V-funnel at T5minutes test. The results of the fresh properties showed a reduction in the slump flow with increasing IFS content. On the other hand, the T50cm slump flow increased with increasing IFS content. Furthermore, the L-Box decreased with higher IFS content. On the contrary, the V-funnel at T5minutes increased considerably with greater IFS content. The strength test results revealed that the strength properties increased to 20 % IFS, with a value of 66.79 N/mm2 compressive strength at 56 days, giving a rise of 12.61 % over the control. The SCC microstructural examinations revealed the amorphous and better interface structures with increasing IFS content in the mix. The empirical correlations revealed that linear relationships exist among the measured responses (fresh and strength properties). Ultimately, IFS could be utilized as a sustainable material in producing self-compacting concrete.

Empirical Modeling of High-Performance Self-Compacting Concrete with Induction-Furnace Slag

“…With more IFS content, the slump flow significantly decreased, as seen in Table 5. The increased paste volume and enhanced fineness of the IFS material are credited for this [3]. With a larger IFS component, the concrete paste volume increased.…”

“…However, it is of great concern that the production of concrete will pose negative effects on the environment. For instance, a typical batch of concrete has a bulk composition of 80% aggregate, 12% cement, and 8% water for mixing [3]. Consequently, 1.5 billion tonnes of cement, 9 billion tonnes of aggregates, and 1 billion tonnes of water are needed each year for the manufacturing of concrete.…”

“…IFS is produced from induction process (anaerobic condition), while BFS is produced from combustion process (aerobic condition) [19]. To obtain the powder from the slag stone, the IFS stone was pulverized, milled and sieved through 45 µm sieve [3]. Utilizing IFS as an SCM will lower HPSCC manufacturing costs, lowering the environmental stress brought on by the issue of waste disposal.…”

Determination of the Basic Geotechnical Parameters of Blast-Furnace Slag from the Kremnica Region

“…It would also be appro- However, its composition, especially heavy metal minerals, are environmental pollutants [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Slag, as a secondary raw material, is widely used in the processing of concrete mixtures, and from the point of view of testing the applicability of slag in concrete constructions, research has been conducted by several authors [12][13][14][15][16][17]. Blast-furnace slag as an additive to concrete can improve its properties, such as its strength and weather-resistance, etc.…”

Impact of Strength-Enhancing Admixtures on Stabilization of Expansive Soil by Addition of Alternative Binders

“…Nowadays, slag is used in mixture with cement, where pozzolanic reaction produces cementitious properties during cement hydration, which leads to the strength gain in materials. Applications of slag are diverse and include the use as a cement additive [14], in high-performance concrete or mortar, as an independent binder, in various engineering tasks, such as road or bridges constructions, or for soil stabilization. Slag has the highest carbonation potential among the industrial binders, due their high CaO and MgO content [15].…”