Parametric Evaluation of Supplementary Cementitious Materials Effectiveness in Improving Concrete Durability
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24113/ijoscience.v11i3.544Keywords:
Concrete durability, Supplementary Cementitious Materials, fly ash, ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), silica fumes, alkali-silica reaction (ASR), carbonation, freeze-thaw resistance, and acid and abrasion resistance.Abstract
In this study, a complete parametric evaluation is carried out to measure the effectiveness of Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) in the durability and sustainability of concrete. Three SCMs are analysed: fly ash, ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), and silica fume. The concrete structure gets affected by various deterioration mechanisms, including chloride ingress, sulphate attack, alkali-silica reaction (ASR), carbonation, freeze-thaw cycles, and chemical abrasion, all these factors adversely affecting long-term performance. Modern SCMs help counter these challenges by promoting pore structure refinement leading to a decrease in porosity permeability as well as chemical and physical attack resistance. Fly ash resist sulphate attacks and makes concrete strong at an age under consideration. GGBS helps in the reduced heat of hydration and increased resistance to chloride and sulphate penetration, while silica fume increases strength at early ages and reduces permeability owing to its ultrafine particles with high pozzolanic reactivity. The study also stresses the important parameters influencing the durability performance levels, that are: replacement levels, water-to-binder ratio, curing methods, and particle size. Through various standard durability tests and indicators, this research reveals that SCMs enhanced the performance and durability of concrete in aggressive environments: On preserving the environment, it has also been claimed in the study that SCMs help lower carbon emissions and utilize industrial by-products, keeping concrete technology within the spirit of the sustainability criteria and current construction demand.
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