Experimental investigation on effective replacement of cement and fine aggregate by copper slag and its application to reduce seismic earth pressure

Abstract

Copper slag is considered as one of the waste materials which can have a promising future in construction industry as partial or full substitute of either cement or aggregates. Many researchers have already found it possible to use copper slag as a concrete aggregate, because copper slag has similar particle size characteristics likely to that of sand. Although there are many studies that have been reported by investigators from other countries on the use of copper slag in cement concrete, not much research has been carried out in India concerning the incorporation of copper slag in concrete. This research was performed to generate specific experimental data on the potential use of copper slag as sand and cement replacement partially in concrete. This research work mainly consists of four main parts. M20 concrete was used to determine various mechanical properties. First part of the thesis consists of substituting sand partially by copper slag in concrete. Similarly the second part of the thesis evaluates the potential application of copper slag in concrete as a partial substitute for Portland cement. In third part, assessment of corrosion and durability studies were incorporated. Since copper slag contains more than 55% of Fe2O3 content, corrosion and durability factors are necessary to find out. in concrete. The final fourth part of this investigation, seismic application of copper slag was incorporated. The study investigates the effect of copper slag in reducing seismic earth pressures on retaining walls. For this test, a small size of aluminium retaining wall model was fabricated and placed inside the laminar box and tested in shake table. Since copper slag has higher shear strength, the seismic earth pressure and displacement of retaining wall was greatly reduced.