Performance of concrete made from cupola furnace slag and recycled concrete aggregate

Abstract

Portland cement concrete (PCC) is an unquestionably flexible and valuable material for any nation's infrastructure and construction development. Nevertheless, the negative health impacts of cement production, the aggregate fraction of concrete, and the building supply shortage are some drawbacks of concrete use. Cupola slag (CS) and recycled coarse concrete (RCA) wastes from industrial processes, construction, and demolition sites are disposed of into the environment, resulting in pollution that threatens marine, agriculture, and public health. Therefore, CS and RCA as a binder and coarse aggregate in concrete production would help protect the environment. This study presents the outcome of an experimental investigation on (i) partial substitution of cement at percentage levels of 0% to 25% in steps of 5% with granulated cupola slag, (GCF); (ii) partially substitution of coarse granite from 0% to 50% in steps of 10%; with coarse cupola slag (CCS); and (iii) complete replacement of CG with recycled coarse aggregates and subsequently partially replaced with CCS from 0% to 50% in steps of 10%. The fresh and hardened properties of concrete, such as workability and compressive strength, were tested. The test results generally showed that the workability increases with an increase in percentage replacement. However, at 7, 14, 28, and 56 days concrete produced from the partial replacement of cement with GCF had the optimum compressive strength of 9.65 N/mm2, 15.85 N/mm2, 20.37 N/mm2, and 22.15 N/mm2 at 10% replacement. The strength, however, increased by 13.67%, 23.54%, 29.42%, and 25.42% compared to the control sample. Similarly, concrete produced from the partial replacement of CG with CCS gave the optimum compressive strength at 10% replacement with a value of 14.89 N/mm2 at 28 days. The compressive strength obtained from the complete replacement of CG with RCA was lower compared with the control samples at 7, 14, 28, and 56 days. It can be concluded that the concrete made with CS and RCA show a satisfactory development and consistency in strength as compared to control sample.