Strength and durability of ultra fine slag based high strength concrete

The use of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) from steel industries waste is showing perspective application in civil engineering as partial substitute to cement. Use of such waste conserves natural resources and minimizes the space required for landfill. The GGBFS used in the present work is of ultra fine size and hence serves as micro filler. In this paper strength and durability characteristics of ultra fine slag based high strength concrete (HSC) (with a characteristic compressive strength of 50 MPa) were studied. Cement was replaced with ultra fine slag in different percentages of 5, 10, and 15% to study the compressive strength, porosity, resistances against sulfate attack, sorptivity and chloride ion penetration. The experiments to study compressive strength were conducted for different ages of concrete such as 7, 28, 56, and 90 days. From the detailed investigations with 16 mix combinations, 10% ultra fine slag give better results in terms of strength and durability characteristics.