SELF-COMPACTING CONCRETE WITH GROUND FERRONICKEL SLAG AS SUPPLEMENTARY CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL

Abstract

Ferronickel slag (FNS) is a by-product of the smelting of nickel ore. When ground to powder, it can be used to partially replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC). This study focused on the production of self-compacting concrete (SCC) by replacing OPC with 20%, 35%, and 50% ground ferronickel slag (GFNS). In addition, natural sand was replaced by FNS in all the mixtures. Thus, the significance of this research is the conservation of natural resources by the dual use of FNS and GFNS. The fresh properties of SCC were evaluated as per EFNARC. The results show that the concrete mixtures using FNS and GFNS together met the criteria of SCC. Concrete microstructure was investigated by SEM images, and a detailed phase assemblage was studied by XRD. The highest 28 days compressive strength was found as 68 MPa in the mixture with 35% GFNS. The 50% cement replacement by GFNS showed the lowest compressive strength among all the mixes. The splitting tensile strength results followed a similar development as compressive strength. Hence, it implies that FNS can be a potential eco-friendly material that can be used in the production of SCC