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Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS) as a Binding Material in Concrete

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Shaheed Ullah Jawad Ahmad

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 ISSN 2347 - 3983
Volume 8. No. 8, August 2020
Jawad Ahmad et al., International Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering Research, 8(8), August 2020, 4711 - 4718
International Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering Research
Available Online at http://www.warse.org/IJETER/static/pdf/file/ijeter105882020.pdf
https://doi.org/10.30534/ijeter/2020/105882020

Characteristics of Concrete Modified with Ground

Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS)
as Binding Material
Jawad Ahmad1*, Aneel Manan1, Muhammad Asim2, Shaheed Ullah3, Rahat Ullah2, Asif Ali1.
1
Department of Civil Engineering, Swedish College of Engineering and Technology, Wah Cantt, Pakistan.
2
Department of Civil Engineering, Military College of Engineering, Risalpur, Pakistan.
3
Department of Civil Engineering, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Corresponding author email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT ecological friendliness & cost- efficiency, (GGBS)–based

upon geo-polymer concrete has turn out an alluring target to
The industrial waste has been rapidly increased day by day investigators as an complementary structural material to
because of the fast-expanding population which dumps the cement [5].Since the Ground granulated blast-furnace slag is
waste in an inappropriate way resulting in environmental affluent in calcium (Ca), the key reaction creation is C-S-H
pollutions. It has been recommended that; the disposal of (Calcium silicate hydrate) gel, which can cohabit with the
industrial waste would be greatly reduced if it could be geo-polymer gel depend on the chemical structure of (GGBS),
incorporated in concrete production. Among these waste, one alkali amount , & alkali type [6].Qiu, Zhao [7] in their
option is the replacement of cement by slag, which causes in research, the strength raises & the mix gets more consistent as
the decrease of consumption of cement, reduction in the ratio of Ground granulated blast-furnace slag to fly ash
emissions of CO2, while solve a waste management issue. raises because of the raise (calcium silicate hydrate)
The basic objective of this investigation is to examine the merging. Addition of superfine (GGBS) can form the
characteristics of concrete using Ground granulated self-compacting concrete hit a greater level of strength [8].
blast-furnace slag (GGBS) as binding material in proportions Chemical structure, hydration characteristics, water demand,
0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% & 50% by weight of cement. & particle morphology of various (GGBS) were studied. The
Several properties have been reviewed in the current paper. outcome displayed that there was no major difference in the
The results observed from slump test depict that replacement chemical structure & grain arrangement of (GGBS) with
of Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) increased changes to the (GGBS) grain extent, & also displayed that
slump of concrete. The tests result also depict that GBBS alter ratio of water required & the intensity altered quickly
enhances strength (compressive, split tensile and flexure with the modified of (GGBS) particles[9]. Investigated the
strength) of the concrete up to 30% substitution and beyond consequence of ground nano-slag GNS on the porosity
30% substitution, the strength starts to fall gradually. resistance, absorption, & compressive strength, to chloride
Therefore, it is recommended to used steel fibers up 30% by ion piercing concrete of high strength. Investigators
weight of cement to achieved maximum benefits. established that durability and strength of high strength
Key words: GBBS, waste materials, binding materials, concrete were finest when the ground nano slag proportion
slump, sustainable concrete, mechanical strength. was ten percent. Similarly, lower rate (5 percent) of the GNS
is not nicely scattered & is not ample to acquire strength. High
1. INTRODUCTION rate (15 percent) of GNS steers to raise in aggregated
ultra-fine grain capacity of concrete & the inappropriate pore
Blast-furnace slag is a material which is rich in amorphous filling [10]. An experimental study was conducted on the
calcium, alumina, &, silica which set up it appropriate to be elastic modulus, flexural strength, compressive strength,
used as a binder (adhesive) in the construction industry [1]. chloride ion relocation, & concrete ability to resist blended
Blast-furnace slag is mainly used in different engineering with fine (ultra) slag dust. This was established that concrete
areas to substitute the Portland cement [2].Slag is attained blended with fine (ultra) slag dust powder has more strength
through steel production & is allegedly used in concrete due to (early), better durability, & lesser porosity at 3 days of curing
decrease porosity & promotes endurance by developing the age[11].There are investigations based on the replacements of
connection with crush. Environmental & financial merits in cement by GGBFS [12]. Even scoring up to 80 percent of the
shape of resource-preserving & energy-efficient features can cement cut off by this type of slag. Khatib et al [13] substituted
also be obtained using slag-mixed cement [3]. Also, the up to 80 percent of cement by (GGBS) slag
long-term & mechanical material features as comparison to forming various replacements. Better outcomes were
those of Portland cement concrete, onwards with its achieved in the replacements up to 60 percent, since
compressive strengths alike to common concrete were
achieved. After 28 & 90 days, the strength was raised.
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However, poor outcomes were achieved when substituting 80 Nominal maximum size of coarse aggregate was 19.
percent of the slag, & in the 1st days of setting, the strength of 5mm.Different tests were performed on aggregate to evaluate
the control concrete was not acquired. Beushausen et al.[14] its physical property as shown in Table 2.
Realized, under damp curing environment & when the slag
substitute rate is lower than 50 percent, the one day concrete 2.3 GROUND GRANULATED BLAST-FURNACE
early age strength approximately directly reduces with the SLAG (GGBS)
raise in the slag substitute rate. At ages of 28 & 56 days,
because to the creation of calcium silicate hydrate from the GGBS is financially accessible in high amounts & suitable for
slag reaction, the compressive strength of concrete with making of high amount of ready-mix concrete at site in
mixed slag can exceed that of reference concrete. As a finite precast product assembly. The granulated slag is dried &
number of researches have been performed on the split tensile ground to a fine powder which is called Ground-granulated
& compressive strengths of (GGBS) based geo-polymer blast-furnace slag. It is white in color & has a bulk density of
concrete composite mixed with (GGBS). In this research, the 1200 kg/m3.The physical properties & chemical ingredients
impact of various factors on the hardened and fresh features of of GGBS are given in Table 3.
GPCC was noticed. Set on test outcomes, the performance of
concrete is considerably improved with incorporation of
GGBFS. Table 1: Physical and Chemical Property of OPC
2. MATERIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM Chemical Percentage Physical
Results
Property (%) Property
2.1 CEMENT Ca0 66.7 Size ≤ 75µ
Accordance to ASTM C150 [15], Ordinary Portland cement SiO2 26.9 Fineness 94%
(OPC) type-1 with 28 days compressive strength 42 Mpa and Normal
specific surface 322 m2/kg was used in this study. Al2O3 6.4 Consistency 28%
Furthermore, its chemical and physical properties are Initial
displayed in Table 1. Fe2O3 4.7 Stetting Time 36min
Final
2.2 AGGREGATE MgO 4.5 418min
Stetting Time
Specific
SO3 2.9 322 m2/kg
Natural sand was used as a FA in all the mixes in saturated surface
surface dry) condition. Normal weight crush stone was used K2O 1.4 Soundness 1.60%
as coarse aggregate in saturated dry condition (SSD) which 28-days
was obtained from Margallah Wah cantt Punjab Pakistan. Na2O 0.2 compressive 42Mpa
Strength
Table 3 : Properties of GBBS

Chemica
Percentage Physical
Table 2 : Properties of Aggregate l Results
(%) Property
Property
Physical Coarse Ca0 51.55 White
Fine aggregate Color
Property Aggregate
Specific
4.75mm to 19.5mm to SiO2 8.13 2.20
Particle Size Gravity
0.075mm 4.75
Fineness Al2O3 21.20 Type F
2.63 4.23
Modulus Clay (%)
Fe2O3 5.23 0.9
Absorption
4.08% 2.9% Bulk
Capacity
MgO 2.32 density 1200
Moisture (kg/m3)
1.8% 1.2%
Content
Bulk density SO3 1.07
1566 1575
(kg/m3)
K2O 1.9

Na2O 2.6

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Figure 1 : Gradation Curve Fine Aggregate

Figure 2 : Gradation Curve of Coarse Aggregate

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2.4 SAMPLE PREPARATION METHOD

2.3 SIZE OF SPECIMEN
ASTM C-31[19] method was followed for the preparation of
Slump cone was used to determine the workability of fresh the specimens and compaction was done manually by Roding
concrete as per ASTM [16]. ASTM C39/C39M [17] Cylinder in three layers having 25 blows per layer. A total of 162
of standard size (6x12in) will be used to measure the samples having a standard size will be cast & then will be
compressive strength at 7 days & 28 days. Similar cylinders tested. To study the effect of GGBS on the behaviors of
of standard size (6 x12in) will be cast and tested to find their hardened and fresh concrete, six mixes were prepared with
tensile strength. Beam of size (4x4x12in) will be casted and varying dosages of Ground granulated blast-furnace slag
tested to find their flexure strength as per ASTM [18]. Three (GGBS) as binding material in proportions 0%, 10%, 20%,
specimens are tested for each test at 7 and 28 days and the 30%, 40% & 50% by weight of cement. Details of the mixes
mean value of the specimens is considered as strength.” were provided in Table 4.

Table 4: Quantification of materials

Materials Mix 1 Mix 2 Mix 3 Mix 4 Mix 5 Mix 6

Cement 1 1 1 `1 1 1
Sand/F. A 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
Coarse Aggregate 3 3 3 3 3 3
W/C 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50
Superplasticizer 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%
GGBS 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION added to concrete mixes were 63 mm, 57 mm ,48 mm, 40 mm,
35mm and 28mm which were 20%, 35%, 43%, 45% and 47%
3.1 SLUMP lower than from reference concrete as shown in Figure 3. The
increased in slump value could be attributed due to smooth
Consistency of fresh concrete is a mix feature which includes and fine particle of GGBS. The fine particle of GBBS fills the
the various provisions of mobility, stability, finish ability, gap between aggregate sand and cement which facilitate
compatibility and place ability [20]. Slump value with varying better flow of cement concrete due less water is required for
dosage of GGBS were show in Figure 3. Workability of lubricant and as a result slump value increased. It has been
Concrete decreased as the percentage of GGBS increased. also noticed that raise in slump value was reported while the
Slump value of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% ,40% and 50% of GGBS substitution ratio raised for GGBS [21].

Figure 3 : Slump Test Results

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2.2 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

Figure 5 Shows Compressive strength of various GGBS
Compressive strength is the property of material to resist blends of concrete. As the level of substitution rises the
stresses when it is compressed. The compressive strength test early-age strength (7 days) reduces. Anyway, prolonged
was done with compliance to the standard procedure of strength (28 and 56 days) increased as the percentage of
ASTM as ASTM C39/C39M [17] for cylindrical specimens GBBS increased up to 30% substitute and then gradually
having standard dimensions as 6 inches diameter and 12 decrease as shown in Figure 5. This could be because of the
inches length. dilution effect and low pozzolanic reaction [22]. With the
raising specified surface area of (GGBS), the portion of fine
grains of (GGBS) raises, which leads to a more consistent and
sounder filling of cement grains pores. The greater the surface
area, higher the ability of reaction whiles the rapid the
reaction process, the more thorough the reaction & greater the
concrete. At the same time, the fine slag grains which are not
tangled in the reaction of hydration are consistently
distributed in the voids, however the gel body, which behaves
to fill the voids & cracks of pore, improve the pore
composition & better the cement stone compactness. Also, the
finer mineral dust powder grains behave as a frame of the
micro-aggregate, so that the Cementitious (binding) material
has a good grain distribution, creating a self-tight packing
system with a meso-level layer & compact filling structure,
The gel composition is more improved, & the interfacial
binding b/w the microstructure & the aggregates of the mortar
is enhanced, therefore developing the macroscopic depiction
of the concrete [23]. The optimum dosages of GBBS in This
research is 30% by weight of cement. Therefore, it is
Figure 4 : Setup for Compressive Strength recommended to used GBBS up to 30% by weight of cement
to obtain maximum compressive strength.

Figure 5 : Compressive Strength Test Results

3.3 SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH sample may fail. According to ASTM C496-71[24], split
tensile test was performed on cylindrical samples of 300 mm
Tensile strength of concrete is the tensile stresses generated
height & 150 mm diameter at the ages of 7, 28 & 56 days
due to applying of the compressive load at which the concrete
curing.

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Figure 7 : Setup for Split Tensile Strength

Figure 6 shows split tensile strength of different GGBS mixes because of the dilution effect and low pozzolanic reaction
of concrete. Like Compressive strength, as the rate of [22]. All mixes of GBBS Concrete show greater strength than
substitution raises the early-age strength (7days) reduces. reference mix at the age 28- & 56-days curing. The maximum
Although, prolonged strength(28 and 56 days) increased as Split tensile strength was obtained at 30% of GBBS.
the percentage of GGBS increased up to 30% substitute and Therefore, it is recommended to used GBBS instead of cement
then gradually decrease as shown in Figure 6.This could be up to 30% substitution by considering the mechanical
performance of concrete.

Figure 6 : Split Tensile Strength Test Results

3.4 FLEXURE STRENGTH
According to ASTM C78 [18], flexure test was performed
Flexural test determines the tensile strength of concrete. It is
beam samples of 100x100x300 mm at the ages of 7, 28 and 56
studies the capacity of unreinforced concrete slab or beam to
days curing
the resist yielding in bending

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Jawad Ahmad et al., International Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering Research, 8(8), August 2020, 4711 - 4718

Figure 8 : Setup for Flexure Strength

curing. It is due to the
pozzolanic reaction of Sio2 in FA with Ch of cement making
Figure 9 Shows flexure strength of different GGBS mixes of extra Cementitious components. The extra binder created by
concrete. Like Compressive strength, as the rate of the GBBS reaction with available lime let GBBS concrete to
substitution raises, the early-age strength reduces while long continue to obtain strength over time. It is well known that
term strength increased as the percentage of GGBS increased Pozzolanic reaction does not contribute at early ages, however
up to 30% substitute and then gradually decrease as shown in that appears to offset this trend at a later age of hardening and
Figure 9. Maximum flexure strength was obtained at 30% as such provides to enhancement in the compressive strength
substitution of GGBS while minimum flexure strength was at 28 and 56 days.
obtained at 0% substitution of GGBS (blank/control mix) at
28- and 56-days curing. All mixes of GBBS Concrete show
greater strength than reference mix at the age 28- and 56-days

Figure 9 : Flexure Strength Results

4 CONCLUSIONS
30%, 40% and 50% by weight cement. Based on experimental
In this research Ground granulated blast-furnace slag
work following conclusion has been drawn.
(GGBS) was used as a binding material in proportion of 0%,
 Workability of concrete increased as percentage of
10%,20%
GBBS increased. Highest slump was achieved at
50% substitutions of GBBS. It is due fact that GBBS

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