EXPLORATION AND COMPARISON BETWEEN REGULAR CONCRETE AND CONCRETE WITH MINERAL ADDITIVES

Abstract

Concrete is a fundamental building material with critical properties such as durability, strength, and versatility. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in enhancing concrete performance and sustainability by incorporating mineral additives such as fly ash, slag, and silica fume. This study explores and compares the characteristics of regular concrete and concrete with mineral additives to evaluate their suitability for various construction applications. The research focuses on the mechanical properties, durability, and environmental impacts of both types of concrete. Laboratory tests will be conducted to compare the compressive strength, tensile strength, resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, chemical attacks, and workability of regular concrete and concrete with mineral additives. Additionally, life cycle assessments will be performed to analyze the environmental implications of using mineral additives in concrete production. One of the main advantages of mineral additives is their potential to improve the strength and durability of concrete. Fly ash, slag, and silica fume have been shown to enhance long-term strength, reduce permeability, and increase resistance to chemical attacks in concrete mixtures. Furthermore, using mineral additives can reduce the reliance on cement, a primary component of concrete with a significant carbon footprint, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. Index Terms – Concrete, Mineral additives, Durability, Strength.