High Strength Flowable Alkali Activated Slag Concrete Mixes produced using industrial wastes

Abstract

A new class of High–Strength Flow ableAlkali activated Slag Concrete(HSFASC)mixes is developed using steel slag sand and EAF (Electric Arc Furnace) slag aggregates, respectively, as the fine and coarse aggregates. These mixes use the ground granulated blast furnace slag as the source material. Thus it is to be recognized that all the three materials used – GGBFS, slag sand and EAF slag aggregates are by-products of the Iron and Steel Industry, and are available in very large quantities demanding safe disposal. Different amounts of Sodium silicate solutions, with specified amounts of Sodium Hydroxide flakes dissolved in them, are used as alkaline solutions. Test specimens were cast using a total of nine HSFASC mixes, (based on Taguchi’s Method), each of which satisfied the relevant EFNARC guidelines with respect to their rheological properties. The test results indicate higher compressive strengths values for all the mixes tested herein. Microstructure studies are conducted on samples from the fractured surfaces of test specimens of different mixes, using advanced SEM, EDX and XRD analyses and the results are discussed.