Behavior of Copper Slag Admixed Concrete in Acidic Environment

Abstract

Non-conventional building materials are in huge demand these days because of rapid urbanization and huge cost associated with conventional building materials. Sand is majorly used fine aggregate in the preparation of concrete, however heavy depletion of river beds and rising cost of sand have made the builders and construction industry to think about alternative form of fine aggregate. Many alternatives like industrial wastes, different types of slags, stone dust and agro wastes etc. have been tried to fully or partially replace river sand in preparation of concrete and the results have been encouraging. Out of the non-conventional materials, copper slag is one such type which has a capable future to be used as a fine aggregate in preparation of concrete. The initial strength studies carried out have shown that the optimum percentage of copper slag as a partial replacement of sand in concrete is 40%. To ascertain any material as a building material it is highly important that along with the strength aspects of the material the durability characteristics also verified. So as part of durability studies of copper slag concrete, an attempt has been made here to examine the impact of acid attack on copper slag concrete and the effects have been compared with that of normal concrete. M30 grade of concrete has been used for this experimental investigation. The test results indicate that durability of the copper slag concrete found to be higher resistant to HCl as compared H2SO4 and also normal concrete has better resistance to acid and sulphate attack compared to copper slag concrete.