Strength and Durability Properties of Self Compacting Concrete Incorporating Copper Slag

Abstract

Copper manufacturing industry produces abundant quantity of copper slag as an industrial by-product. Its management and disposal poses a major challenge for the environment, thus an urgent need for its potential alternative is recommended. Also, the high excavation cost of natural sand, its scarcity in the environment along with its ever increasing demand has urged the concrete industry to look for some low-cost and abundantly available alternatives. A sustainable approach is required to conserve the environment as well preserve the natural resources at the same time. The consumption of copper slag as sand replacement in concrete serves to be a viable option for progressing towards a sustainable development. The intent of the current research work is to design self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixes incorporating copper slag as fine aggregate replacement. SCC mixes were designed to have 28 days compressive strength in the range of 20-40 MPa. SCC mixes incorporated 20% fly ash as cement substitution and copper slag varying from 0% to 60% as sand replacement. A total of seven SCC mixes were developed- 0CS-SCC, 10CS-SCC, 20CS-SCC, 30CS-SCC, 40CS-SCC, 50CS-SCC and 60CS-SCC. 0CS-SCC mix was developed with 0% copper slag, 10CS-SCC for SCC mix with 10% copper slag, 20CS-SCC for SCC mix with 20% copper slag, 30CS-SCC for SCC mix with 30% copper slag, 40CS-SCC for SCC mix with 40% copper slag, 50CS-SCC for SCC mix with 50% copper slag, and 60CS-SCC for SCC mix with 60% copper slag. The fresh properties included the slump flow, V-funnel, L-box, U-box and sieve segregation resistance of SCC. The strength properties included the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of SCC. The durability properties included the water absorption, sorptivity, chloride ion permeability, drying shrinkage and sulfate resistance of SCC made with copper slag. The strength and durability properties of SCC were performed and analysed for up to one year.