Mechanical Properties, Abrasion Resistance, and Chloride Permeability of Concrete Incorporating Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag

Abstract

Abstract This paper reports the results of an investigation to determine the mechanical properties, abrasion resistance, and chloride-ion permeability of concrete incorporating ground-granulated blast-furnace slag from a source in northern Ontario. Nine 0.06-m3 air-entrained concrete mixtures involving 18 batches were made. The water-to-cementitious materials ratio of the mixtures ranged from 0.45 to 0.70, and the percentage of the slag used as a replacement by mass for the portland cement varied from 0 to 50%. A number of test cylinders and prisms were cast for determining the mechanical properties of concrete, its chloride-ion permeability, and the effect of initial moist curing and subsequent air curing on its compressive strength. Test blocks were also cast for determining the abrasion resistance of concrete. The strength development characteristics of the slag concrete indicate that granulated blast-furnace slag can be satisfactorily used as a partial replacement for portland cement in concrete. The abrasion resistance of the concrete containing slag is inferior to that of the control concrete without slag. The chloride-ion permeability of concrete decreases considerably when slag is used as a partial replacement for the portland cement, especially at the 50% replacement level.