Sustainable high-performance, self-compacting concrete using ladle slag

Abstract

High-Performance Concrete (HPC) meets special requirements (e.g., low shrinkage and permeability, high strength, and improved durability) and uniformity requirements beyond the range of conventional concrete. Self-compacting Concrete (SCC) is placed by its weight as it is enough flowable to pass through congested reinforced areas and avoid aggregate segregation. To reduce cement use and the associated CO2 production from its production, Ladle Slag, a steel industry waste material, is used to replace cement in the production of HPSCC. The material's chemical composition indicates self-cementing and pozzolanic properties. Ladle Slag (5%, 10%, 15% and 25%) is used in place of CEM I (cement) and their fresh, mechanical and durability properties are compared with the control concrete (no waste) sample. The fresh properties were tested and confirmed using Slump flow, T 500, V-funnel, and L-box. Obtained results generally indicate improvement in fresh, mechanical and durability properties of produced concretes for up to 15% use of Slag compared to the control concrete. Cost analysis suggests that industrial waste could be a promising green material for HPSCC by economically saving the carbon footprint.