Strength properties of autoclaved and combined wet/dry-cured SBR-modified concretes using ground granulated blast-furnace slag

Abstract

The effects of slag content and polymer–binder ratio on the strength properties of autoclaved and combined wet/dry-cured SBR-modified concretes using ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latex are examined. As a result, the compressive and tensile strengths of the autoclaved and combined wet/dry-cured SBR-modified concretes using GGBS reach maxima at a slag content of 40%, and increase with increasing polymer–binder ratio. In particular, the autoclaved and combined wet/dry-cured SBR-modified concretes with a slag content of 40% and a polymer–binder ratio of 20% provide about three and two times higher tensile strengths than the same-cured unmodified concretes without GGBS, respectively. Such a high strength development is attributed to the improved bonds between cement hydrates and aggregates because of the incorporation of SBR latex.