International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 9, September- 2014

Study of Properties of Sustainable Concrete using Slag and

Recycled Concrete Aggregate
Basil Johny Prof. M.V George Dr. Elson John
Student, MBITS Professor, MBITS Assistant professor, MACE
Nellimattom, India Nellimattom, India Kothamangalam, India

Abstract: - Consumption of concrete is increasing every year. of natural aggregate resources. So if construction and
Consumption of cement and conventional aggregates has to be demolition wastes are used instead of natural aggregates and
reduced for sustainability. Sustainable construction is one way ground granulated blast furnace slag is used as partial
to reduce cement and aggregate consumption. Supplementary replacement to cement without affecting the mechanical
cementitious materials can be used as a replacement for cement properties of concrete we can achieve economic and
and recycled aggregates for natural aggregates. This paper
environmental benefits.
studies the feasibility study of using ground granulated blast
furnace slag as an alternative for cement and recycled coarse Objective of this study is to assess the properties of concrete
aggregate for natural coarse aggregate. Experimental that combine both supplementary cementitious materials,
investigation is carried out with a conventional M30 mix, mixes ground granulated blast furnace slag and recycled coarse
by replacing with 40 percent, 50 percent and 60 percent of aggregate.
cement with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). Mix
with 50 percent of cement when replaced with GGBS gave [1] M.L. Berndt studied the properties of sustainable
better performance compared to M30 conventional mix when concrete containing fly ash, slag and recycled concrete
tested for fresh and mechanical properties. For further study aggregate. Concrete mixes containing 50% replacement of
mix was made with 50 percent replacement of cement with slag
cement slag gave the best results.
and 50 percent replacement of coarse aggregate with recycled
coarse aggregate. Its fresh and mechanical properties were then
[2] A.H.L.Swaroop et al evaluated changes in compressive
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compared with M30 mix. Fresh properties were studied using
slump test and compaction factor test. Mechanical properties strength in different mixes of M30 Grade namely
studied were compressive, flexural and splitting tensile conventional aggregate concrete, concrete made by replacing
strengths. Mix with GGBS and recycled aggregates gave a 20% and 40 %of cement by Fly Ash and GGBS. The early
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satisfactory performance compared to M30 conventional mix. strength was less in fly ash and GGBS concretes then
conventional aggregate concrete. The results of fly ash and
Keywords:-Ground granulated blast furnace slag, Fly ash, GGBS concretes when replaced with 20% of cement are
Recycled aggregates, Compressive strength, Flexural strength,
more than compared to Conventional aggregate concrete at
Splitting tensile strength, Slump test.
the end of 28 days and 60 days for normal water curing.
1.INTRODUCTION [3]Vlastimir Radonjanin et al studied the properties of
Concrete is the most popular construction material across the green recycled aggregate concrete. Workability ranges from
world. Aggregates are the major component of concrete. For 120 to 130 mm. Mean compressive strengths at 2, 7, 28, 60
last few years the cost of aggregates are increasing and 90 days were 18, 35, 46, 52 and 54 MPa, respectively.
tremendously. Quality aggregates are also depleting year by Splitting tensile strength was 3 MPa.
year. Popularity of concrete also causes big damage to [4]Khaldoun Rahal studied the mechanical properties of
environment as billion tons of natural aggregates are being concrete with recycled coarse aggregate. The cube and
quarried from rock each year. Large scale production of cylinder compressive strength and the indirect shear strength
cement requires huge amounts of energy and large amount of of recycled aggregate concrete were about 90% of that of a
natural materials like limestone, clay etc. Also large normal aggregate concrete with similar mix proportions and
quantities of CO2 are released into the atmosphere in the slump.
process. There is a need to economize the use of cement and [5]Amnon Katz studied the Properties of concrete made with
aggregates. This study points to some efforts to economize recycled aggregate from partially hydrated old concrete. The
the use of aggregate. slump of almost all the mixes was in the range of 135–185
Large quantities of wastes from construction and demolition mm (mostly 175 mm). Concrete made with 100% recycled
works are produced every year and production is increasing aggregates was weaker than concrete made with natural
year by year. Large quantities of waste materials and by- aggregates at the same water to cement ratio
products like fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag etc
are generated from industrial processes. We are wasting 2. EXPERIMENTAL WORK
majority of these materials by dumping as landfills which Five different mixes were considered in the investigation
causes shortage of dumping place in large cities. One way to work. The first of these was a conventional M30 mix which
make use of these waste materials is sustainable construction. did not contain ground granulated blast furnace slag. Mixes
It can considerably reduce the problem of shortage of containing 40%, 50% and 60% replacement of cement with
dumping place and simultaneously it helps in the preservation slag is then considered. From the test results of these

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 9, September- 2014

optimum of 50% replacement of slag with cement is selected 3.5 Water

for replacing of coarse aggregate with recycled aggregate. Its Potable water which is free from chemicals and organic
properties were then compared with conventional M30 mix. materials was used for the study.

3. MATERIALS 3.6 Super plasticizer

3.1 Cement High performance super plasticizer named masterglenium sky
Ordinary Portland cement 53 grade conforming to Indian 8233 based on polycarboxylate ether was used for the study.
Standard is used in the present investigation. Properties of It confirms to IS 9103:1999 and IS 2645 -2003. Specific
cement used are given in table 1 gravity is 1.08.pH > 6

Table 1, Properties of cement 4. MIX PROPORTIONING

Name of test Result The mix design was done as per IS: 10262 (2009). The grade
Specific gravity 3.12 of concrete adopted for this study is M30. Maximum size of
Standard consistency 34%
Initial setting time 90 minutes
aggregate taken is 20mm and grading of sand is zone II. The
Final setting time 540minutes water cement ratio adopted for concrete mix was 0.45 and
mix proportion was carried out for a slump of 100 ± 20 mm
with superplasticizer addition. The quantity of materials
3.2 Ground granulated blast furnace slag required for 1m3 of conventional M30 concrete mix is given
Ground granulated blast furnace slag of specific gravity 2.93 below.
was used for the study.
Table 4, Quantity of materials
3.3 Fine Aggregates Material Quantity
The locally available manufactured sand of zone II was used Cement (kg/m3) 400
Fine aggregate(kg/m3) 819
as fine aggregate in the present investigation. Various Coarse aggregate(kg/m3) 1072
properties of manufactured sand are given in table 2 Water(l/m3) 192
Super plastizers (l/m3) 1.6
Table 2, Material properties of fine aggregates
Name of test Test Results 5 SPECIMEN PREPARATIONS
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Specific gravity 2.74 150x150x150 mm cubes, 100x100x500mm beams and 300
Water Absorption (%) 0.8 x150 mm diameter cylinder specimens were cast to determine
Water content (%) 3.1
Bulk Density (kg/l) 1.73 the compressive strength, flexural strength and splitting
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Percentage Voids (%) 38.73 tensile strength of the concretes. All specimens were cast in
steel molds and compacted using hand. After casting, the
specimens were cured in air for a period of 24 h, and then
3.4 Coarse Aggregates removed from mold. The specimens were cured in a water
Natural and recycled aggregates were used as the coarse tank at 27 ± 1 C until the test ages (3 days, 7days and 28
aggregates in the concrete mixtures. Locally available days) were reached.
crushed granite of size 20mm was used as the natural coarse
aggregate. 6. TESTS
Recycled aggregates obtained by demolishing a water tank of 6.1 Fresh properties
having age 17 years were used. Various properties of coarse Fresh properties studied included were
aggregates are given in table 3. (i) Slump test
(ii) Compaction factor test.
Table 3, Material properties of coarse aggregates Slump test and compaction factor tests were done on fresh
Name of test Test Results
Natural Recycled concrete to test the consistency of fresh concrete.
aggregates Aggregates
Specific gravity 2.74 2.26 6.2 Mechanical properties
Water Absorption (%) 1.2 3.1% The mechanical properties of the concrete investigated
Bulk Density (kg/l) 1.52 1.38kg/l included were
Percentage Voids (%) 44.53 41.59%
Crushing value (%) 27.78 26.83
(i) Compressive strength,
Impact value (%) 29.8 31.45 (ii) Flexural strength
Abrasion Value (%) 40.29 40.38 (iii) Splitting tensile strengths.
Flakiness index (%) 5.76 5.55 After curing, the cube and cylinder specimens were tested in
Elongation index (%) 20.21 9.75
the compression testing machine. Third point loading method
is used for testing beams. Cubes were tested at 3, 7 and 28
days. Cylinders and beams were tested at 7 and 28days. Three
specimens per mix were tested at each age.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 9, September- 2014

7. TEST RESULTS FOR VARIOUS MIXES 7.2.3 Compressive strength

7.1 Conventional mix Table 8, Average compressive strength of GGBS mixes

Using the mix proportions for a conventional mix (CM) of
grade M30 mix as given in table 4 a mix is prepared and it Mix ID Average compressive strength
was tested for fresh properties and mechanical properties. 3-day 7-day 28-day
Results are tabulated below. 40 GGBS 13.28 N/mm2 23.50 N/mm2 41.10 N/mm2
7.1.1 Slump test 50 GGBS 13.46 N/mm2 22.46 N/mm2 44.00 N/mm2
Conventional Mix showed a slump of 110mm. 60 GGBS 17.77 N/mm2 22.55 N/mm2 34.24 N/mm2

7.1.2 Compaction factor test 7.2.4 Flexural strength

Compaction factor value Conventional Mix was 0.92.
Table 9, Average flexural strength for GGBS mixes
7.1.3 Compressive strength Mix ID Average Flexural strength
7 day 28 day
Table 5, Average compressive strength of CM 40 GGBS 4N/mm 2
5.75 N/mm2
Mix Average compressive strength 50 GGBS 4N/mm2 7.75 N/mm2
ID 3-day 7-day 28-day 60 GGBS 4N/mm2 6.50 N/mm2
CM 23.40 N/mm2 31.67 N/mm2 41.73N/mm2
7.2.5 Splitting tensile strength
7.1.4 Flexural strength
Table10, Average splitting tensile strength for GGBS mixes
Mix ID Average splitting tensile strength
Table 6, Average flexural strength of CM
Mix ID Average Flexural strength 7 day 28 day
2
7 day 28 day 40 GGBS 2.86 N/mm 3.14N/mm2
CM 4.67N/mm2 6.9/mm2 50 GGBS 2.73 N/mm2 3.07N/mm2
60 GGBS 2.2N/mm2 2.79N/mm2
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7.1.5 Splitting tensile strength

Table 7, Average Splitting tensile strength of CM

Mix ID Average splitting tensile strength
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7 day 28 day
CM 2.63 N/mm2 3.5 N/mm2

From table 5, 6, & 7, compressive, flexural and splitting

tensile strength values are more than target compressive
strength value (38.25 N/mm2) and theoretical flexural
strength value (3.83 N/mm2) for a M30 mix. So the mix
prepared has the strength required for a M30 mix. Fig 1, Variation of compressive strength with age for GGBS mixes

7.2 Mix with replacement of cement with GGBS

Mixes were made by replacing 40%, 50% and 60% of cement
with ground granulated blast furnace slag (40GGBS, 50
GGBS and 60 GGBS). Mixes were tested for fresh properties
and mechanical properties. Results are tabulated below.

7.2.1 Slump test

All three mixes with replacement of cement with GGBS
showed a workability of 100mm

7.2.2 Compaction factor test

40 GGBS and 50 GGBS gave compaction factor value of Fig 2, Variation of flexural strength with age for GGBS mixes
0.89. 60 GGBS showed a compaction factor value of 0.92.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 9, September- 2014

Fig 3, Variation of splitting tensile strength with age for GGBS mixes Fig 4, Variation of compressive strength with age for 50 GGBS + 50RCA

From table 8, 9 &10 and fig 1, 2 &3, though splitting tensile

strength values at 28days were less, compressive and flexural
strength values at 28 days are more for 50 GGBS compared
with CM. So for further test 50% of cement can be replaced
with cement along with 50 % replacement of coarse aggregate
with recycled coarse aggregates.
7.3. Mix with replacement 50% of cement with GGBS and
50% coarse aggregate with recycled coarse aggregate

Mix was made by replacing 50 % cement with ground

granulated blast furnace slag and 50% fine aggregate with
recycled coarse aggregate (50GGBS +50RCA) and tested for Fig 5, Variation of flexural strength with age for 50 GGBS + 50RCA
fresh properties and mechanical properties. Results are
tabulated below.
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7.3.1 Slump test

Slump value for 50 GGBS + 50 RCA was 110mm
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7.3.2 Compaction factor

Compaction factor value for 50 GGBS + 50 RCA was 0.89

7.3.3 Compressive strength

Table 11, Average compressive strength of 50GGBS+50 RCA

mix
Mix ID Average compressive strength
Fig 6, Variation of splitting tensile strength with age for 50 GGBS +
3-day 7-day 28-day 50RCA
50GGBS+ 22.47N/mm2 32.44N/mm2 40.11N/mm2
50 RCA When mixes are made by replacing 50 % cement with slag
and 50% coarse aggregate with recycled coarse aggregate, 3
7.3.4 Flexural strength day and 28 day compressive strength are little low compared
with CM while 7 day compressive strength are little more for
Table12, Average flexural strength for 50 GGBS+50 RCA compared with CM. 7day, 28 day flexural strength and
Flexural strength splitting tensile strength values are low compared with CM.
Mix ID 7 day 28 day
50GGBS+50RCA 3.25N/mm2 5.5N/mm2 8. CONCLUSION
Based on this experimental study, the following conclusions
7.3.5 Splitting tensile strength are drawn
(1) When workability of Mix with GGBS and recycled
Table 13, Average splitting tensile strength of 50GGBS+50
coarse aggregates was tested using slump test and
RCA mix
Mix ID Average splitting tensile strength
compaction factor test, the mix shows adequate
workability.
7 day 28 day (2) Compressive strength, flexural strength and splitting
50 GGBS+50 RCA 1.7N/mm2 2.97 N/mm2
tensile strength values of Mix with GGBS and recycled
aggregates were less compared with conventional mix.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 9, September- 2014

But the mix satisfies the requirements of a M30 mix. So

it is satisfactory.
The study shows that replacement of GGBS for cement and
recycled coarse aggregates for natural aggregate gives
satisfactory strength. So the partial replacement is of much
benefit and shall be encouraged.

REFERENCES
[1] M.L. Berndt, “Properties of sustainable concrete containing fly ash,
slag and recycled concrete aggregate”, Construction and Building
Material, 2009
[2] A.H.L.Swaroop, K.Venkateswararao, Prof P Kodandaramarao
“Durability Studies On Concrete With Fly Ash & GGBS”, International
Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) ,Vol. 3,
Issue 4, Jul-Aug 2013, pp.285-289
[3] Vlastimir Radonjanin , Mirjana Malesev , Snezana Marinkovic , Ali
Emhemd Saed Al Malty “Green recycled aggregate concrete”,
Construction and Building materials ,2013
[4] Khaldoun Rahal ,”Mechanical properties of concrete with recycled
coarse aggregate”, Building and Environment ,2007
[5] Amnon Katz,”Properties of concrete made with recycled aggregate
from partially hydrated old concrete”, Cement and concrete research,
2003
[6] IS 10262 – 2009, Concrete mix proportioning – Guidelines, Bureau of
Indian standard, July 2009, New Delhi
[7] M.S Shetty, “Concrete technology, theory and practice”, Revised
edition, S chand and company Ltd, 2005.
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