Performance of High Strength Cementitious Composites with High Volume Supplementary Cementitious Materials

Abstract

Portland cement (PC) is the major binder used for cementitious composites. However, due to the increase in the demand for cementitious composites for the construction of infrastructures, there’s a consequential effect of the production of this binder (i.e. PC) on the sustainability of our environment. The production of PC emits huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the environment and posses a huge strain on the natural deposits of its raw material. In order to create a sustainable environment while meeting the high demand for cementitious composites; it is paramount to replace the PC with locally available waste materials. This study incorporates a high volume of slag alongside silica fume at a ratio of 2.2 to that of PC to produce high strength cementitious composites. The effects of these compositions were determined experimentally on its fresh and hardened properties. Results from this study showed that high strength cementitious composites can be produced with a high volume of supplementary cementitious composites up to 80%. The use of slag as 80% replacement of slag resulted in a 9.3% increase in the compressive strength and a 48.1% decrease in sorption.