Eco-friendly and cost-effective concrete utilizing high-volume blast furnace slag and demolition waste with lime

Abstract

This manuscript explores the effect of ternary blend i.e. the replacements of cement, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate simultaneously with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and lime, granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) and recycled coarse aggregate (RCA), respectively, on the fresh, mechanical and durability properties of concrete. Twenty-one concrete mixes having various combinations of GGBFS, lime, GBFS and RCA are prepared and characterized. Results conclude that the concrete mixes containing high volumes of RCA (up to 75%) and GBFS (up to 50%) with 60% GGBFS and 6% hydrated lime, achieve the compressive strength closer to that specified for M25 grade concrete and more than that specified for M20 grade concrete as per IS:10262 (2009). The splitting tensile, flexural and bond strengths show satisfactory performances. Durability results show that these mixes have comparable or better sulphuric acid resistance and chloride ion ingress. Also, these mixes have good cost benefit and very less environmental impact as compared to the normal concrete. Moreover, these concrete mixes save cement up to 66%, fine aggregate up to 50% and coarse aggregate up to 75% and lessen the waste disposal crisis to a greater extent which make these mixes as sustainable concrete mixes.